The Germ
"The heavens tell of the glory of God; and
their expanse is declaring the work of His hands" (Psalm
19:1)
We know from the interstellar vastness of outer space, that there
are realities too large for us to see. We have learned from the
microscope that much is too small for us to even comprehend. The
amazing thing about all of it, is that this complexity of matter and
energy is apparently INFINITE in scope. That is, no matter how
capable our telescopes become, there is always something larger. No
matter how precise and capable the device, we always find that which
is small and more complex than ever dreamed possible.
Take this "anthrax" which has touched our land. It is something
smaller than we would often notice. It is the touch of "face powder"
on an envelope or a hint of dust in the air. It is so small and
beneath our notice and yet it is large in our thoughts, because it
can kill.
I’ve been fascinated by "computer viruses" for a long time. Not
that they are "clever" or anything like that – Quite the contrary.
But they are fascinating because they are man made. Someone sets out
with the idea: "How can I harm others today? Someone I don’t even
know. I know, let’s build a virus that will destroy their
computers!" And they do. Actually, cleverness may be present, but
this is cleverness deadened by stupidity, for we as people are not
to harm one another. God will judge the one who harms another
person.
Just as Cain killed Abel, brothers have destroyed their own since
the beginning of time. "Am I my brother’s
keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). Yes, I am, and so are you.
In the complexity of both large and small, we should see the
handiwork of God. "The heavens tell of the
glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands"
(Psalm 19:1). "Since the creation of the world
His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that
they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).
Psalm 19 is especially interesting for us right now, because it
is divided into two parts. The first section is about God the
Creator of everything seen and unseen. The second part is about the
written Word of God, the book we call the Bible, and about our walk
with Him. The one (the universe) is equated with the other (the Word
of God).
"The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring
the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple,
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the
commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes…"
(Psalm 19:7 and forward). In other words, the book you may or may
not be holding in your hands right now (the Bible), is at least as
significant in the sight of God, as the Creation of the whole
universe and all it contains.
Both the universe and His Bible tell of Him. Both, if we are
willing to see, will lead us in our need to the Son of God, where we
will be made new in His sight. The heavens draw me to look for God.
In the Bible, I find Christ; and in Him, I have found God!
The universe is large; the Bible is small. Both speak of Him. The
written Word of God fits in your hand and yet is infinitely large
(it will fill your heart and overflow into the lives of all you
meet).
The newspaper called Anthrax both a "germ" (something small that
can grow Into something large; like an acorn becomes an oak tree),
and a "bacterium." The latter is a microscopic plant that, when it
enters something like the human body, it can be neutral, or it can
give birth to things like a disease. Certain bacteria (plural for
bacterium) can also be beneficial to the organism.
Mentally sick people sent those contaminated letters with the
intention of harming other people; innocent people. But God is not
like them, for He has ultimate GOOD in mind for you. His book is a
case in point.
In my experience the Bible has been like a wonderful healing
medicine, a germ necessary to health, that has entered my very being
and given me LIFE, where before there was not life. The Word of God
has filled my soul and brought me to my risen Lord who has FILLED me
with His Holy Spirit. From a book! Not just ANY book; this is HIS
book, and He can bring it to pass – for you!
During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the
work of the Red Cross in Cuba. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to
her asking to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But
she refused to sell him any relief supplies. Roosevelt was stunned.
His men needed the help and he was ready to pay her out of his own
funds. He asked someone why he could not buy the supplies and was
told they were not for sale, but further; "Colonel, just ASK for
them!" Teddy Roosevelt smiled as he understood. The refusal made
sense – the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was
simply ask and they would be freely given.
Do you have His little book in your hand and it makes no sense to
you? Or do you have that book and all you see in it is judgment and
do you miss the love? My friend, just ask, and all will be given to
you. You will understand, you will know His love; you will find
peace with God.
Father, we come to You right now. There is so much we have not
understood. Help us to not only understand, but let us know Your
love. Surprise us with the joy that filled Mary Magdalene as she
clung to her risen Lord. Fill us with the peace of Stephen, who saw
You, even as he was leaving this world. Open this book, this Bible
to us, and show us the way we should go. Lead us to Jesus. Fill us,
Holy Spirit. Prevent those evil men from harming the innocent. And
heal this land, this people. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org
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