An Overlooked Marvel of God's Creation

In chapters one and two of Genesis we have the biblical account of creation. According to the account God created all existence in six days and then rested on the seventh day. The last thing God created was mankind. Male and female, He created them in His own image.

By faith I embrace God's creation of all existence.

• The whole of creation is a marvel. One of the marvels that stand out to me is how God, the self-existent, self-sustaining and self-sufficient Creator, created existence out of nothing. In the beginning there is God and nothing else. From nothing, He created everything.

• I also marvel at the fact that the universe God created, according to scientist, is continuously expanding. Out of nothing God created a universe that is constantly expanding into an endless reach of galaxies with innumerable heavenly bodies.

• I marvel at the order of God's creation as day by day He created an orderly, complimentary universe designed to function according to His will.

As many marvels as can be deciphered from God's creation, is it possible that we often overlook one of the greatest marvels of God's creation? I believe is it more than possible. We often do overlook one of the greatest marvels of God's creation. We overlook the fact that before God created man in His own image and likeness, He created everything that He would need to sustain his existence on this earth.

What exactly does man need for his existence to be sustained on planet earth?

Man needs water. Genesis 1:2 says, "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. God created the water.

Man needs God's presence. What is happening in Genesis 1:2? "...And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. "Hovering" speaks of continuous presence and activity.

Man needs light. Light is indispensable to life. Light is crucial for us to live and navigate our way through life. So, what did God do? He provided light. Genesis 1:3 says, "Then God said, 'Let there be light; and there was light.'"

Man needs food. Man can only live for a limited amount of time without food and water. God did not overlook this necessity before He created man. Genesis 1:11 says, "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth'; and it was so." The next time you take a bite of your favorite fruit or sit down at your table to enjoy a helping of your favorite vegetable, thank God that He provided that need for you.

It is no accident that these things appear in the Genesis account of creation before God created man. God prepared creation for man's arrival before He created him, male and female He created them. Couples prepare for the birth of children by buying such things as baby cribs, pampers, etc., but they do not create water, God's presence, light or food. Only God can create these things.

Several times in the Genesis account of creation we read the words "...And God saw that it was good." At the conclusion of God's creation, we read these words, "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day" (Genesis 1;31).

As I marvel at these provisions that God made for man before He created him, my mind goes to Jesus. Do you remember some of the "I am" statements He made. There are three that stand out. Jesus said He is the living water. "...If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37,38).

Jesus also said that He is the light of the world. In John 8:12 Jesus said, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'"

In addition to saying that Jesus is the water of life and the light of the world, He also said that He is the bread of life. John 6:35 says, "And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

The Genesis account of creation reveals the way God provided for man's human existence before He ever created man. In Jesus, God has provided for the spiritual needs of man. This is the marvel of God's redemptive love and grace.

Thank God for the gift of physical life and the gift of eternal life and the provisions that He has provided for both.