All Things Great and Small

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord's and all that fills it…” —Psalm 24:1

Everything belongs to God. It’s his because he made it, redeems it  and maintains it (24:1,2).  

It follows then, since we’re God’s children, that the earth  is ours as well. As confirmation, Paul writes: "All things are yours whether...the world or life or death or the present or the future" (1 Corinthians 3:22). In another place he argues that even food that’s been offered to pagan idols is ours to enjoy: “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market," and then he quotes this psalm (24) for support: "for 'the earth is the Lord's, and all that fills it”  (1Corinthians 10:25).

To be sure, we can exploit and ruin what God has made. We can use creation in the wrong way or harm someone in our use of it, but in and of itself, creation is part of the good that God created. Paul put the principle simply: “Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be refused…” (1 Timothy 4:4).

There was only one forbidden tree in the garden and that for good reason: It was toxic. He has given us every other "tree" to enjoy. God invented pleasure, fun, joy and laughter for His children and for their delight.

So go for it! Live large! "Rejoice in your youth, and let your heart cheer you...remove vexation from your heart" (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 10). (Why are young men and women always bummed out?) Find delight in all that God has created.

But in your delight, “Remember Your Creator" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Don't forget the God who loves you. Stay close to Him. He's where all the goodness comes from.

David Roper