Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Caring for Creation

Series Introduction

Tony Rinaudo, author of ‘The Forest Underground’, reflects: “As a boy, the trees, hills and mountain streams of northeast Victoria were my playground, but I was upset that the bushland was being bulldozed, agricultural chemicals were poisoning the water and fish in the streams. This environmental destruction was mirrored around the world. As Christians, we know that creation belongs to the one whom we call Lord. So, a question I asked myself was, ‘what is my responsibility towards creation as a Christian?’ This devotional series will look at what happens when God’s creation is mistreated, what it means to be good stewards of God’s creation, and the blessing Christians receive when relying on God to help us restore and live in harmony with the gift of his creation.”

Reflection: God delights in his creation

I wonder what was going through God’s mind at the time of creation? The ‘I’ in this passage is wisdom, talking in first person, where wisdom is a type or pre-figurement of Christ. In effect Jesus was delighting in mankind. He was rejoicing in his creation. In other passages (Job 38: 7) we read that at the time of creation the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.

I have the very strong impression that this was no genteel English tea party, but was more akin to an end of footy season back slapping, foot stomping celebration of the power of God displayed in his creation.

When God sees the state of his creation today, how it is being treated, I wonder how he feels? I certainly don’t hear the stars singing or angels shouting for joy.

If the act of creation brought God such joy and was such a cause for celebration in heaven, what should my attitude and practices as a follower of Christ be today? Surely it should inform the choices that impact creation – over-consumption, our waste and pollution, what industries our investments support?

Prayer:

Dear Father, please help me to see and value your creation as you do. Help me to see where I can choose to contribute, so that all of creation might flourish.

Proverbs 8:1-36

Wisdom’s Call

1Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

2At the highest point along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries aloud:

4“To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

5You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.

7My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

8All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

9To the discerning all of them are right;

they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

10Choose my instruction instead of silver,

knowledge rather than choice gold,

11for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion.

13To fear the Lord is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,

evil behavior and perverse speech.

14Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have insight, I have power.

15By me kings reign

and rulers issue decrees that are just;

16by me princes govern,

and nobles—all who rule on earth.

17I love those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.

18With me are riches and honor,

enduring wealth and prosperity.

19My fruit is better than fine gold;

what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.

22“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,

before his deeds of old;

23I was formed long ages ago,

at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,

when there were no springs overflowing with water;

25before the mountains were settled in place,

before the hills, I was given birth,

26before he made the world or its fields

or any of the dust of the earth.

27I was there when he set the heavens in place,

when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28when he established the clouds above

and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29when he gave the sea its boundary

so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30Then I was constantly at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day,

rejoicing always in his presence,

31rejoicing in his whole world

and delighting in mankind.

32“Now then, my children, listen to me;

blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Listen to my instruction and be wise;

do not disregard it.

34Blessed are those who listen to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at my doorway.

35For those who find me find life

and receive favor from the Lord.

36But those who fail to find me harm themselves;

all who hate me love death.”

Caring for Creation

Day 1 of 7

NIV

Proverbs 8:30-31

Days

Proverbs 8:1-36