God's Fingerprints

God is in the details of everything good and I desire to be involved with that. I love to re-read the Bible. Why would I continue to read again stories I know the ending too? One, they are great events to bolster my confidence, trust and faith in God. Two, there is not a single account where God's intimate involvement is not detected. God's Fingerprints are everywhere, in every story from creation forward. Even at this point in my life, I can reflect and observe God's penetrating assistance at just the right times. 

While there are major events throughout history and in our world today that make us question -  why did God not intervene? I have to trust in an over-all design and divine plan, the option is there is no plan, therefore, there is no God and I refuse to believe that. 

In Job's life the devil was a major influence, but God was sovereign over all the details. God used the Behemoth and the Leviathan in His discussion with Job to display His power over everything. Pointing out the incredible, descriptive details about those creatures, God naturally asked Job and all of humanity - Who then can compare to me as The Creator and Sustainer? If humans cannot stand against such fearsome and awesome creatures as the Behemoth and Leviathan, what success does one think he/she might have with The Creator and Sustainer of these beasts and all creation?

Later in the New Testament, Paul would echo this strong declaration of Creator and Sustainer-God when he said - 

• "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:16-17)

We cannot escape the evidence of God in the details of creation and life. Scripture speaks to God being in the details of nature and humanity when it says -

• "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." - Job 12:10
• "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." - Romans 1:20
• "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27

Only Yahweh is Omni or All. But God has always been and still is personally invested and involved with His creation. In the Old Testament, many of the God-fearing characters would erect altars, usually made of stone, every time God would move in their life on their behalf. 

The Christian today can do the same thing spiritually and create spiritual altars where we stop and remember or reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of Christ in our lives. Some believers use church retreats for this purpose and that is a great recommendation, but I would suggest not to wait for a retreat to activate a personal, spiritual altar time at home. Thanksgiving and gratitude are wonderful ways to cultivate the manifest presence of God in the Christian's life and family - the regular altar is a great step toward that end. Let us make a practice to observe, remember and appreciate God's Fingerprints.