Short devotion: Caretakers

 

Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (NIV)

One of the biggest issues that we’re facing today has to do with climate change. Whether we believe in it or not, there seems to be something going on with regard to glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and more storms each year. Last year, our wee city of Knoxville, Tennessee, which is located on the foothills of the Smokey mountains and usually enjoys pleasant weather, was hit with a highly destructive tornado, the likes of which we have never seen. Our winters have also been getting warmer with less snow capping the beautiful mountains that surround us.

Whatever is causing these changes probably has to do with the many neglectful ways in which we take the Earth for granted. We also tend to leave our environmental problems to someone else, or to some future hapless generation to find solutions to the difficulties that are presently occurring. It is far easier to ignore the issues and neglect to do something positive politically, financially, or even globally. After all, isn’t it our God-given right to do as we please with the planet and to exploit its resources?

When I read the Biblical version of creation in the Book of Genesis, I’m always impacted with the role that God gives to humanity with regard to the Earth. In today’s highlighted verse, we read that God not only expected mankind to work in the Garden of Eden, but God also wanted human beings to take care of it. Thus, right from the beginning, we are divinely expected to be caretakers of this planet, this home we call Earth, and not to exploit it.

So, here’s our challenge for today: how can we fulfill our faith in God by looking after the environment we live in, so that we honor God’s creation and become responsible of the planetary role that our Maker expects?

Prayer: Lord God, this is a beautiful and exceptional planet which is a great and unique gift. Help us to heal the harm we have caused it and enable us to restore its balance by being caretakers of the Earth’s environments and not exploiters. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish pastor, now living in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read more of his regular devotions on his website at www.glenkirk.blogspot.com

 

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings based on Psalm 24. You can view a larger version at this link: Psalm 24.

Free Daily Devotions: God Help the Gulf - Psalm 50

Psalm 50:11    I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 

I am deeply dismayed by the oil spill in the Gulf. As well as lamenting the loss of human life, I am completely saddened by the fact that the wildlife and marshes along the coastline are being destroyed by our glut and greed. As Christians, we are called to be faithful stewards in the world and of the world. This man-made catastrophe just highlights our self-destructive capacity for folly and waste, greed and selfishness.

Each day I hope that the spill will be capped and the oil leak ended; but instead of getting better, things seem to have worsened. The impact on the environment may mean that our children will never live to see the Gulf at its best. That is too high a price to pay for our commuting convenience and oil dependency.

We really need to get serious about alternative energies and our lifestyle choices. I can remember the oil crisis way back in the 1970’s when Western Society was brought to its knees by insufficient resources and high energy demands. We vowed then to change our ways, but forty years later we’re even more dependent on oil than we ever have been. And with India and China beginning to pay exorbitant costs for fuel, we’re going to be faced with another shortage in the next decade.

We cannot keep living for today and giving no thought to what we’re leaving for tomorrow. Our children and their children deserve to grow up into a better world, not a bitter one.

God knows every bird in the marshes and every creature in the Gulf. The challenge that faces us is this: will He still know of them tomorrow or will we have tragically killed them off with our greed?

Prayer:                        Lord God, we are sinfully aware of our selfish society and the excruciating costs that we exact on our environment. Challenge us to use our hearts and minds into finding alternative ways to energize our lifestyles. Grant us the wisdom to change our fossil fuel dependency and enable us to look after the world’s wildlife. Simplify our lives and enable us to live according to our need, and not our greed. In Christ’s Holy Name, we respectfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one from John’s Bird series. It is of a Scottish heron. A larger version can be viewed online here: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4549011780_35d441be81_b.jpg

You can also view a slideshow of John’s bird drawings here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/sets/72157623366524553/show/

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Earth Day

Isaiah 54:5     For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the Earth.

Today is Earth Day and all around the world various people are celebrating this new tradition by bringing attention to the plight of the planet. Some protest and environmental groups will be petitioning their governments to reduce carbon emissions and end global warming. Others will be celebrating the diversity of customs and costumes around the world.

I like the idea of Earth Day and I think that Isaiah gets it right when he reminded his people long ago that the Lord is the God of all the Earth. This means that we are just tenants and not owners of the globe. Kingdoms and governments may think they possess their own parts of the world, but God is the Sovereign of the whole planet. Everything belongs to Him.

I’ve started to boldly capitalize the letter ‘E’ in the word Earth. That reminds me that this planet is a precious jewel in God’s eyes and that we as human stewards should do our utmost to look after it. Respecting the environment, recycling our waste, and reflecting upon the wonders of this Earth is a good place to start. Life on Earth may be the most precious gift in the entire universe. It’s time that we chose to really respect that amazing gift of grace which our God has created.

Prayer:                        God who made the Earth, the air, the sky, the sea; Who gave the world its birth, please care for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.