Born to Rule
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
(Genesis 1:26-31)
The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to the human race.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to the human race.
(Psalm 115:16)
Humanity has spent trillions of dollars trying to find the meaning of life by launching rockets into space. We have landed on the moon, we are planning to reach Mars, and we have sent out probes into the uncharted universe. The Bible tells us that this is terribly ironic. The meaning of our universe is not to be found out there. It is to be found under our noses! Human beings differ from every creature in the universe because of one important fact. We are the only beings in the universe that the Lord created in his own image. Better than anything else, we reflect God!
These verses tell us that the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) created us to reflect his triune glory (men and women, united together by his Holy Spirit). That’s why the devil attacks issues of gender, sex and sexuality. He hates to see the glory of the Triune God reflected in humanity.
Another aspect of God’s glory reflected in humanity is the way that he has entrusted his rule over the world to us. These Scriptures are very clear that God has made us stewards of what happens on Planet Earth. He gives us genuine authority to make the world we live in good or bad. That’s why God needed to become a human being to save the world we live in. It is also why God has determined to do nothing on earth except in response to human prayers.
These verses tell us that the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) created us to reflect his triune glory (men and women, united together by his Holy Spirit). That’s why the devil attacks issues of gender, sex and sexuality. He hates to see the glory of the Triune God reflected in humanity.
Another aspect of God’s glory reflected in humanity is the way that he has entrusted his rule over the world to us. These Scriptures are very clear that God has made us stewards of what happens on Planet Earth. He gives us genuine authority to make the world we live in good or bad. That’s why God needed to become a human being to save the world we live in. It is also why God has determined to do nothing on earth except in response to human prayers.
1) How much have you ever reflected deeply on what these verses teach us? Do you find it slightly scary that the Lord has given real authority to humanity to rule over the earth? In what ways do you also find it inspiring?
2) How does the fact that God has entrusted us with ruling over the earth help you to answer the question of Why does God allow so much suffering?
3) If it is true that God has determined to do nothing on Planet Earth except in response to human prayers, then that makes it crucial that we partner with him. What is God stirring you to pray to him about today?
2) How does the fact that God has entrusted us with ruling over the earth help you to answer the question of Why does God allow so much suffering?
3) If it is true that God has determined to do nothing on Planet Earth except in response to human prayers, then that makes it crucial that we partner with him. What is God stirring you to pray to him about today?
Father God, I thank you that you created me and my fellow humans to rule over the earth together. I am so sorry for the ways in which I have neglected that call to rule. Please help me to partner with you today through my prayers and through my actions. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me reflect your glory more and more. Amen.
If you have time, consider carrying on your conversation with God using one of our helpful Prayer Pathways.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.