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Psalm 8:4 – What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (NKJV)
Apart from God, man is a very insignficant part of this universe both physically and in composition. However, it would appear, given the evidence, that the universe was uniquely created to support life on earth. If true, man must be very important to the Creator.
The anthropic principle: the earth and the universe appears to have been designed specifically to support our life on earth.
- Unique location in our galaxy -the earth exists in a very unique location that benefits the sustaining of life on our pla
- Unique stabilization of the inner solar system – the planets are arranged very carefully in a way that allows earth to maintain its position
- Unusually circular orbit of the earth – the circular orbit around the sun is uncommon and is critical to sustain life
- Axial tilt and eccentricity of orbit – the perfect angle of tilt gives us our seasons which are necessarry for weather that is life sustaining
- The presence of an “impossibly” large moon – the moon is vital to our tidal movements that sustain life in our oceans
- Unusually thin atmosphere- just the right density to maintain the presence of liquid, solid and gaseous water necessary to life
- Slowing rotation makes advanced life possible – faster rotation would create hurricane force winds, slower rotation would not allow weather to exist
The list of “perfect” conditions goes on and on. Here are some more examples if you want to do further study of the evidence: number of star companions; parent star birth date; parent star age; parent star distance from center of galaxy; parent star mass; parent star color; surface gravity; distance from parent star; thickness of crust; rotation period; gravitational interaction with a moon; magnetic field; albedo (ratio of reflected light to total amount falling on surface); oxygen to nitrogen ratio in atmosphere; carbon dioxide and water vapor levels in atmosphere; ozone level in atmosphere; atmospheric electric discharge rate; seismic activity.
These are all created just the “perfect” way to sustain life. The odds of it all occuring again, anywhere, anytime with the dimension we exist are infintesimally small. So IF God created this universe for us, then we must be pretty important to him. What about man is important to God?
- The promises that God has made to us
- 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (NKJV)
- James 2:5 – Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (NKJV)
- All of our needs
- Luke 12:22-32 – Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (NKJV)
- Luke 12:22-32 – Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
- Our need for salvation
- Luke 19:9-10 – And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (NKJV)
- Our frailty and weakness
- Psalm 103:13 – As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. (NKJV)
- Matthew 11:30 – For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJV)
- We are important to God, He has made it easy for us to turn to Him, a choice
- Our troubles, sadness and sorrow
- Isaiah 53:4 – Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. (NKJV
- Lamentations 3:22 – Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. (NKJV)
- God knows we have many sorrows and troubles, so He is ready for us each and every day with a full measure of mercy and compassion BECAUSE we are important to Him
- The temptations we deal with
- Hebrews 2:18 – For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (NKJV)
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (NKJV)
We are as important to God as we are small compared to the universe. God created us, created our home and provides for us.
O God, thank you that we are important to You because we would have no reason to live otherwise. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Contemplation: Do you meditate on how important man is to God? Can you explain to others WHY God loves mankind and would send His Son to die for us?
Application: Mankind is the most important part of all creation to God. Get your viewpoint of man in line with God’s and see if you don’t start viewing those around you a little differently.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?
(seriesid:14)