And God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good! And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31
The snowstorm dumped 20 centimeters of heavy, wet snow on my walk, and as I shoveled it, I became very aware that the earth is not perfect. Snowstorms cause a great deal of inconvenience in our part of the world each winter, and some snowstorms have been blamed for deaths on the highways, although the blame should more rightly be placed on those who drive inappropriately for the conditions. Some parts of the world experience terrible droughts, other parts devastating floods; some parts of the world experience blistering heat, other parts bitter cold; some parts of the earth experience wars and strife, other parts peace and tranquility; some parts of the world suffer from deep poverty and famine, other parts have wealth and prosperity aplenty. In the past year, some parts of the world have experienced many deaths and much disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic while other parts have experienced few deaths and only temporary and minor disruptions. If our world experiences all these inconsistencies and contrasts, it is surely not the same as it was when God could declare it very good. The amazing thing is that there will be a time when God will again be able to declare this world and all in it very good.
Adam’s sin caused the good that God saw to change for the worse; your sin and mine keep the world entrapped in its cursed state. And we can do nothing about that. But God can. His great calendar of events continues to unfold, with Christians eagerly awaiting the next great event: the Rapture. After the great tribulation concludes, God will usher in a period of a thousand years in which He will be able to declare that the earth is very good. What makes the difference? The One who will reign at that time.
We know that today the world lies in the power of the wicked one. Much is not good about this world because much is controlled and influenced by the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. But in the Millenium, Christ will reign. All will be under His control. Once again, peace will prevail, truth and righteousness will be the standard, and God’s will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. But while the world awaits its redemption, Christ has redeemed individuals from the world. We who have been set free from the penalty and power of sin can appreciate the righteous rule of Christ in our individual lives. We can experience today, in a small way, that which God will do for the world in a great way, in the great day coming.
Will you allow Christ to rule in your heart today? Will God be able to look at you today and declare your life very good? -Jim MacIntosh