Today’s Readings:
Genesis1:26-28
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God created He created Him, male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV)
In the account of creation, God transformed a chaotic universe into the present-ordered cosmos. In the first three days, He transformed the formless void deep into the structured universe – the heavens, which is the outer space; the water and sky, and the earth (Ex. 20:11; Ps. 135:6). In the second three days, He populated each realm. And God separated the seventh day as His holy day of rest (Gen. 2:1-3). And the pattern of man’s weekly activities has been in this form (Ex. 20:8-11; 31:12-17). This also speaks of God’s promised rest to those who live by faith in Him (Heb. 3:7-4:11).
The climax of God’s creative week is the creation of man in His image, after His likeness. The plants and animals were not created in the image of God. The stars also as magnificent as they are do not bear the likeness of God. But God uniquely created man and woman in His image, after his likeness (v. 27). Have you ever wondered why this is so? Human being alone has the mind to love God and fellow human beings, to think, to know God. Humanity alone has destiny of eternity. We have the image of God as a stamp of ownership. We have the capacity to love know and obey. We are the only ones that can portray the nature of God, and how He truly is.
The image of God here is more than the outward and short-lived culture. This image has to do with our perception and reality. It is about how we relate with God in a unique and amazing way in that we are able to reflect His nature and character that we share with Him. God is able to communicate with us in a special way. We have inner and secret chambers within us where God connects with us. He prods us with inner promptings, He urges, He moves, He convicts, He directs, He stops, He guards, He guides. He gives the enablement and many more. Apart from our body, he gave us an immaterial soul - a spirit. Animals do not have spirit and so have no connection with God, but they have a way of instinct and the natural order of things.
At the original creation of man, God made man to have a sense of community, connection, and communication with Him. But once sin entered the world the connection was broken down. It was not erased but was defaced. It was not destroyed but was damaged. And so today, we live in a defaced and damaged image. Although, we are still able to connect with God in the inner man. To have the image of God shows dignity, and also that God has entrusted in us, the responsibility and capacity to love and obey Him. The image of God is who we are as a person. It is our most basic original calling. God has called us to live in His image, in the light of who He is and who He has made us to be.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Blessed be the Lord my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.
My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower; and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.
O Lord create in me a clean heart, and renew a right, teachable and humble spirit within me, in Jesus' name.
Father, make me a partaker of Your divine nature to escape the corruption in the world through lust, in Jesus' name.
Father, in all diligence and in abundance, add to my faith virtue, knowledge, temperance patience, godliness, kindness, and charity so that I will be fruitful in the knowledge of You, in Jesus' name.
Father visit Christian homes with your love and mercy, heal deliver and transform lives, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, grant that our children, youths and young adults may have a thirst for Your love, and hunger for Your word, in Jesus' name.
Father, as sojourners and pilgrims here on earth, empower the body of Christ to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against our souls, that God may be glorified in Your Church, in Jesus' name.
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