1 The earth and everything in it,
the world and its inhabitants,
belong to the Lord;
2 for he laid its foundation on the seas
and established it on the rivers. Psalm 24:1 – 2 CSB
What does it mean for everything to belong to the Lord?
Man
Home
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises. Psalm 84:1 – 4 NLT
Conflict
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Every story has a beginning; a place that reveals the setting, the characters, and provides the foundation for all that follows. God’s story is no different. It all begins with God creating the heavens and the earth and all they contain. In the midst of His creation, God places His ultimate creation: Man. Male and female they are made in the image of God with the capacity to know and interact with God. All of God’s creation was good. Everything flowed together in perfect harmony under the benevolent reign of the Creator-King.
One of the components of any great story is conflict; something that poses a problem that must be resolved. Regardless how the story unfolds, the characters in the story are always seeking to move toward a resolution of the difficulty.
God’s story is no different. Early on, a crisis took place that began a conflict, the effects of which we are still feeling to this day. Let’s take another look at the beginning and watch as the conflict unfolds.
What Do We See?
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Jesus Christ came into the world making the incredible statement that He was the Light of the world (John 8:12). The primary definition of light is “something that makes vision possible.” By that definition, the coming of Christ enables us to see as we have never seen before. The question is, what does He enable us to see?
Walking in the Dark
Walking along a well lit street at night probably does not cause much of a concern. Sure, there are shadows lurking everywhere, but the light from the street lamps and yard lights provide a sense of comfort and security. Now, think about walking down an unlit country lane in the dead of night under an overcast sky. It’s hard to see your hand in front of your face. You could trip and fall over almost anything. Every sound causes the hair on the back of your neck to rise. This is very similar to the way it is when we are spiritually walking in the dark.
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Man in the Darkness
Darkness is the story of mankind without God. From the Garden of Eden to this present throbbing moment, those who walk apart from God cannot process life correctly. In the darkness, that which is beautiful can look horrid. In the same way, that which is ugly can actually look attractive. By walking in spiritual darkness we are placed in a danger that cannot be calculated, and dare not be underestimated.
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