The Omaha guide., 1945-06-30
GODS JOY IN CREATION

LESSON TEXT-Genesis Ills. 1912,
1913. &c, 81, 81.
GOLDEN TEXT-God saw everything
that he had made. and, behold, it was
very good.-Genesis 1871.
The destiny Of this world seems
to be IN the balances in our day
with wicked men ruthlessly trying
to destroy that which is good and
upright. We are deeply concerned
IN our hearts that the right should
triumph and that a just and right
eous peace should come.
In such a day it is good to remind
ourselves, as we will in our three
month series of studies in Genesis,
that nan did not make this world,
nor is it the product Of natural
forces. God made it.
| God, who is eternal, infinite, and
knows all from the beginning, is not
moved by the impulses of the mo-
ment nor staggered by the catas-
trophies of a day.
He made the world. He made man.
He had a plan for them, and still
has a plan which He will in due sea-
o work out for His own glory.
L. God Made Heaven and Earth
wv. is, 1912, 1919.
The biblical account Of creation
I'm the beginning God" = stands
as a dignified, satisfactory, intelli-
gent explanation Of the origin of
things, and in bold contrast to the
confusing and almost unbeliev-
able theories of men.
The best of scientists admit that
they know nothing Of the origin of
things, and some say that they never
will know. The answer to this query,
with which every human philosophy
opens, is the affirmation with which
the divine account in Genesis opens
I'm the beginning God"
Space forbids full discussion of
the account of creation, but a study
Of it will reveal its beautiful order.
symmetry, and completeness.
Compare that orderly account with
the absurdities of the ancient human
cosmogonies, and you have a new
regard for Scripture.
III. God Made Man In His Own
Image wv. 26, 30.
Although man has often so de-
based himself by sin and dis
obedience to God that it seems al
most unbelievable, it is neverthe-
less true that he was made in the
likeness and image of God. Because
that is true we never give up hope
for him. Because of that image, no
matter how deeply defaced by sin,
man still may be touched by re-
deeming grace and restored to fell
lowship with God.
The likeness and image of God in
mar refers to a moral and spiritual
likeness. Man is a living soul with
intelligence, feeling and will. He is
a moral being, knowing the differ
ence between right and wrong. He
is a self-consciouS, personal being.
To man God gave dominion
over the earth and all its potential
powers. Sometimes one has been
hopeful that man was making good
progress in the development Of
the earth's for his own
good and the glory of God. But one
is sad to see how he has used this
great God-given opportunity for de-
Struction and death. Only a revival
of real Christianity can bring him
back to his senses. Let us pray and
work for it.
Observe that the family was estab-
lished as the center of mans life
on earth, as God gave him a help
meet unto him." Woman was taken
mot out of mans head that she
should rule over him; nor out of his
feet to be trampled upon; but out
of his side to be equal with him,
under his arm to be protected by
him, and neal his heart to be
loved by him" Matthew Henry.
The decay of family life and the
modern substitution of social and
civic units as the basis of life have
led to disastrous results, one Of
I, which is juvenile delinquency. Not
only do we need a revival of re-
igion, we also need a revival Of the
home life of the nation.
III. God Made All Things Well
". 81.
When men do recognize the hand
of God in creation, they often seem
to feel that what He made was rath-
er limited and defective. It would
almost seem that God should be
grateful that man has been so
clever about ~perfecting His work,
developing it and making it useful.
AS a matter of fact, God, who
had all knowledge and whose stand
ards are higher than mans stand
ards could possibly be, looked over
His creation and behold, it was
very good" ". 81. 1t was a FIN
ished' job gid.
Man has destroyed much of Gre
atoms beauty. Sin came in and
marred it. What mans inventive
cleverness has developed of the pos
sibilities Of this world is only a
minute fraction Of what is yet avail
able. Instead of boasting, man might
well be distressed at the pathetic
slowness with which he has
s