My Commonality with Creation

For Thursday, September 15

My Commonality with Creation

Isaiah 19-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14 (click to read)

(Isaiah 19) 25 then the LORD All-Powerful will bless them by saying, "The Egyptians are my people. I created the Assyrians and chose the Israelites."

So much of the Old Testament points to God as the Creator and Owner of the entire world. Yet the Hebrews simply did not get it, or at least the implications of this truth. I don't want to make the same mistake. For God to talk about the Egyptians and Assyrians in this passage is the same as God talking to me about the "enemies" of my nation. At different times, that was/is Japan, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. God wants me to be really clear that I am NOT more His than anyone from these countries. Or I could extrapolate to non-national groups that are identified as the enemies of God's People. Depending on who you are or what one reads: Muslims, gays, liberals, fundamentalists, atheists, corporations, civil rights leaders, Hindus, sex workers, etc. But God wants me to know He created all the people under all these labels, and I am to know this, accept this, and live our my commonality as His creation with them all.

Lord Jesus, help me to be totally a servant of Yours and completely an equal with all people. Help me to be gracious to all others as You have been gracious to me. Help me to be humble and grateful for the full following You have, and a helper to each one yet to "meet their Gracious Maker" in this life and the next.

(You can download the Pathway 2011 Bible reading list here.)