Last week we discussed how God loves the whole world, not just man. Because man was given dominion over the earth, when man fell all that was under his dominion suffered too. This is why we are told in Romans 8:19 that the creation is“anxiously waiting for the revelation of the sons of God.” The creation is waiting for mankind (the sons of God) to turn back to God and walk in harmony with Him so that harmony can be brought back to the creation that man was created to rule over.
Consider how the creation exists under the present disorder and chaos caused by the fall of man. Virtually every creature lives in constant fear of being attacked and eaten by another creature. Man is threatened by them, and they are threatened by man. You can’t watch a nature program about any animal and not be touched by the constant battle they all have to survive another day. This is man’s doing and man has to fix it. It cannot be fixed until “The Son of Man,” Jesus, who is called “the last Adam,” returns to begin “the restoration of all things.”
We see in the biblical prophecies that the restoration of all things includes the complete restoration of man and the earth to the Paradise God created the earth to be for them. When man is restored, which comes by first being restored to the intended relationship with God, then all of creation will also be restored and know peace. There will be no more cruelty and fear, and we are told that none will hurt any others in the whole earth.
When compared to the way that the whole creation is suffering because of the fall of man, and how the fall is deepening with the “deep darkness” that is now coming upon the world, it tends to make all of our national trauma we’re experiencing seem much smaller. This is not to say it is not important, but the answer is not to just lament the deepening darkness, but to look to God.
If we focus on the problems more than God, then the problems will grow and we will grow in anxiety. Anxiety is not a fruit of The Spirit. In fact, we are commanded in Philippians 4:6-7 to:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Just as by beholding the glory of The Lord we are changed into His same image (see II Corinthians 3:18), this principle shows how we tend to become what we behold. If we look at the troubles too much, we will start to be more troubled. If we look at God more, we will grow in Him and His peace because He is “The Prince of Peace.” We should not focus on anything too much that does not help us to grow in His nature, which is the fruit of The Spirit.
If the troubles of this world are causing us to grow in anxiety and fear then we must refocus on He Who has overcome the world. The biggest problems on earth are small to Him, and they will be to us when we see Him. As we behold Him and become like Him by seeing His glory, we will begin to see the troubles and everything else with His eyes.
It’s noteworthy that The Lord uses the title “Lord of hosts,” or “Lord of armies” more than any other title, but in Romans 16:20 we’re told that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.” Don’t ever lose your peace. God’s peace is one of the most powerful weapons we have.
© 2021 Rick Joyner. All Right Reserved.
