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Big Deal
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Friday, July, 23, 2010
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by John Fischer
Job argued with God. Moses bargained with Him. Jacob wrestled with Him. Nehemiah changed His mind. What do these amazing stories tell us about God if it isn't that He wants a relationship with us probably more than we want one with Him. What does it tell us about God if He is willing to be persuaded, cajoled, bargained with and wrestled? It tells us He created us like Him so we could participate in a relationship with Him that means something in terms of integrity. It's no small thing for God to be swayed by a puny human being, but such is the wonder of His will.
The Psalmist has declared a similar wonder when he wrote, "When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have set in place—what are mortals that you should think of us? For you made us only a little lower than the angels, and you crowned us with glory and honor. You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things—the sheep and the cattle and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents" (Psalms 8:3-8 NLT).
In other words: What's the big deal here? We're the big deal. Does this bring us glory? Yes, but that only brings Him more glory. That He would create us with this much power and authority says a lot about our Creator and what He created us for. He created us with intelligence and emotions. He created us like Him so He could relate to us and we could relate to Him. And He gave us the right to refuse Him, accept Him, argue with Him, badger Him—even tell Him to get lost if that's what we want to do. Think about that. Even unbelief has integrity. What kind of God would create a being that might not even believe in Him? A God who wants a relationship with him when he does.
That's why the very next verse of this Psalm reads, "O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth" (Psalm 8:9)! We are part and parcel of God's glory. That He would do it this way—that He would create a world, people it with beings like Him, and then give them authority over that world—even the opportunity to believe Him or not—says as much about Him as it does about us. You and I are a big part of God's glory. And that's without even trying.
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