Of first importance
Of first importance
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
Something to think about
I wonder how you choose to describe yourself to others when you first meet them, whether at social events, through work, or even on social media. If you were to find my profile on Twitter, the first description of me would tell you that I am a cheese lover. It’s true, but certainly not the most important thing I could share!
The Bible tells us as of first importance that God is the Creator. From the opening words of Genesis, the writers of Scripture invite us to relate to God primarily as the Maker of everything, and to relate to everything else as made by God. Then, as in today’s verses, we are so often reminded that God’s nature is to sustain, provide, and strengthen all who need it; primarily those who are oppressed and maltreated by others. Being faithful to his creation means that God will always be inclined towards justice, acting for and with those who are in greatest need.
In our own image of God, we must be wary of relegating this aspect of divine nature to the status of quirky trait or minor hobby, like my love of cheese! God’s passion for justice is essential to who God is. It’s a ‘first introductions’ fact.
Something to do
Draw a quick picture of yourself – a stick person will do! – and a few concentric circles around yourself, as if in the centre of a target. Try writing your activities, relationships, and other aspects of your life in the circles, arranged according to how important or central they are to your sense of self. As you prayerfully reflect on the image you’ve made, is there anything that you’d like to become more important, or less?