Week 41: Leviticus 26:34: Green Space

A devotional thought composed originally for Swift Current TSA Devotional Book, June 2015.Presented to River Street Cafe, 22 April 2016, Earth Day.

Read Leviticus 26:31-35

"As people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), we have been entrusted with the care of the earth's resources (Genesis 2:15). Stewardship requires that we use these resources in a manner which ensures the well-being of present and future generations. God's instruction to 'subdue' the earth and 'rule' over every living thing (Genesis 1:28) cannot be interpreted to justify abuse or disregard for any life, not only human life. The privileges granted require our accountability to Him and one another" (TSA Canada Position Statement).

God cares about the environment, the land itself. He lays out some important commands concerning it (specifically relating to Palestine; Lev. 25, 26) in a part of Scripture that is – interestingly enough - known as the 'Holiness Code'.

We are directed that the land itself shall enjoy its Sabbath rest (Lev. 25:2, 26:34,35) just as man is commanded to (Exod. 20: 8-11, Deut 5:15), and as God did (Exod. 20:11, Gen. 2:3). If we, as 'tenants' of His land (Lev. 25:23), fail in our responsibility to carry out this duty to take care of the land, then the owner of the land -who cares about His land- may remove us from it.

He did remove Israel from the land as it neglected its environmental responsibilities: "He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. The land enjoyed its Sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfilment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah" (2 Chronicles 36:20-21). When Israel neglected the land, the LORD held them responsible. The land is the LORD's. He cares about His land and therefore so should we.

Given that God cares about His land and given the finite resources of our world, its expanding population, and the impact of industrialization, we each need to accept responsibility for the environment by taking practical steps to regenerate and conserve God's creation.

One of the very first things God commanded humanity – Genesis 1:28 – was to take care of this world that He lovingly created. It is important to God and therefore should be important to us.

This is a big part of our Christian witness. Can we call ourselves servants of Christ if we neglect the first responsibilities God ever gave us? How can we show our love for God by taking His commission to look after the earth seriously?

www.sheepspeak.com 

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[1] Based on the article by Captain Michael Ramsay, What is My Responsibility to the Environment? Nipawin Journal (September 2008) On-line: http://sheepspeak.com/sasknews.htm#environment

Week 39: Isaiah 2:4: Peace

A devotional thought composed originally for Swift Current TSA Devotional Book, June 2015.

Read Isaiah 2:1-4

Will there ever be world peace? Yes. The real question is when? The Scriptures say that the heavens and earth will be made anew or that even a new heavens and earth will be made. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and Jesus is coming back. When Jesus returns (if not before) there will most certainly be peace on earth. This is important. I think that sometimes we forget that Jesus is actually coming back.

The Salvation Army’s official position on world peace is as follows:

The plan for creation is that all people shall live in a harmonious relationship with God. It acknowledges that only within this relationship can perfect peace be fully known, and that this peace transcends the circumstances of this life. Greed, selfishness and injustice, however, have entered human lives and often result in conflict and, at times, armed aggression.

Therefore, in the light of the Gospel and in obedience to the one who declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” The Salvation Army through its ministry around the world confronts the poverty, injustice and the inequalities that so often give rise to disharmony and unrest, and seeks to foster mutual respect and understanding between peoples of all races, ethnic origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions and cultures.

Recognizing the appalling character of modern warfare, The Salvation Army urges nations to eliminate all weapons of mass or indiscriminate destruction and divert those expenditures into measures that will benefit society, and especially into providing services that promote the welfare of the poor, suffering or disadvantaged, and bring about a more just society. The Salvation Army is ready to work, alone or in partnership with others of goodwill, to bring about an end to armed conflict and to promote reconciliation between opposing factions. It also undertakes to extend in Christian love its practical care to those who suffer because of war, civil unrest or other forms of violence, without discrimination except on the basis of the need being met and its capacity to meet it.

The Salvation Army calls upon all within its influence – members, friends and fellow Christians – to pray for peace, to love their enemies and to work for the betterment of society, witnessing to God as the source of lasting peace and to a right relationship with God as the only path to perfect peace.

When we are in a relationship with God we can even experience His peace in the midst of turmoil. Many early Christians experienced the peace of Christ during torture and martyrdom. Their forgiving response was used to God to greatly expand his Kingdom here on earth.

When have you had the opportunity to turn the other cheek and share the peace of God with your neighbour even in the midst of calamity? What was the result?

www.sheepspeak.com

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[1] Based on the article by Captain Michael Ramsay, Will there ever be world peace? Nipawin Journal (January 2008) On-line: http://renewnetwork.blogspot.ca/2009_01_01_archive.html#8969473775180504981