TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Please read Genesis 2:1-9
But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.
Genesis 2:6
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:8
DEVOTIONAL
by Sandra Chua
When we buy gadgets or appliances, we are attracted to the word “automatic.” A phone that automatically stops charging when the battery is full. A rice cooker that switches to “keep warm” mode when rice is cooked. Typing tools on the computer that automatically check grammar and spelling. Now that I’m spending more time in the garden, I’m thinking of automatic sprinklers that would water my plants because I keep forgetting to do that.
It would probably be nice to live in a fully automatic world, but doomsday prophets paint an automatic world full of people with fat bodies and shrunken heads, sitting lazily on sofas as machines do everything for them, including thinking. Hmmm… on second thought, what would be left for man to do if machines could do our jobs better?
Reading today’s passage left me awestruck. Long before automatic sprinklers were invented, the earth had an awesome watering system. How amazing! God didn’t need man to actually care for the earth, but He gave him purpose and participation. After preparing such a beautiful place, a lush garden, He thoughtfully cared for His other needs: purpose, fulfillment, and companionship. He gave us purpose so that we would have a reason to exist. He gave us work so that we might find fulfillment. He gave us family and friends to help us in our work, to cry with and rejoice with.
God has not changed. He cares for each of us each day. He makes the sun rise each day. He sends the rain to make plants grow. Most of all, He gave His son to pay the penalty for our sins so that we might have the hope of eternal life. Praise God for that.
REFLECTION
How does God care for you each day? What has God called you to do? Who has God sent to help you and be with you?
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for not only filling my life with good things but giving me purpose and satisfaction. Though the good things do not come in ways that the world may term as “good,” we know Your plans for us are not to harm us but to prosper us and give us hope and an everlasting future with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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