CLIMATE CHANGE DEVOTIONS: WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024
PSALM 96:12-13 “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.”
God’s creation is a wonder to behold. It is a delight to the eye and a reflection of His majesty and creativity. Psalm 96:12-13 says, “Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” This verse reminds us of the beauty of nature and the joy it brings. As Christians, we are called to preserve the earth so that God’s glory remains visible. We must ask ourselves: Does my interaction with the environment glorify God? Our actions should contribute to the preservation of this beautiful creation, so it always bears witness to God’s greatness.
This is a challenging question because we live in a world where it is difficult not to impact the environment. Everything from the plastic in which our food is packaged to the CO2 we exhale contributes to our ecological footprint. Some people go as far as deciding not to have children to protect the earth. But according to Psalm 8, children are a sign of hope and proof that God envisions a future for this world. We don’t need to have a neutral ecological footprint, but we must do our best to honour God’s creation by living responsibly and sustainably.
The problem arises when we, as Christians, argue that this world will ultimately pass away, so what does it matter? This is a misunderstanding of Psalm 8 and the Bible as a whole. God is not going to completely destroy this world but rather recreate and purify it. We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We hope and work for a future where God’s will and kingdom are visible here on earth. Christ died and rose again to renew us and this world. Therefore, we must begin now to treat creation with respect and care so that we can preserve the beauty of God’s work and honour His name.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, We praise and thank You for the beautiful creation You have given us. Every day, we are reminded of Your greatness and creativity through the wonder of nature around us. Help us to treat this creation with respect and care so that Your name may be honored in everything we do. Give us the wisdom to make sustainable choices and to act responsibly towards the environment. Let our lives and actions reflect Your love and patience with the world. Through our actions, may we show that we support and promote the hope and future You have planned for this earth. Lord, we ask that You help us preserve the earth so that it remains a delight to the eye and a witness of Your greatness and grace. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Thank You for Your endless grace and the hope we have in Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.