Do you know that God cares about animals? He said this to Jonah when he spared Nineveh. The Genesis account has a Hebrew word for some animals that indicated they have a soul, and can relate to people. Other wild animals cannot. Animal cruelty is a sin. Humans are meant to care for all of earth's animals. Some, like cattle, are here to provide us food. Some, like sheep, are here to provide us clothing. Dogs seem perfect as pets or companions. Horses are here to help us farm or to carry riders. If you know about the Horse Whisperer or the Dog Whisperer, you know they have a language.
Those planning on becoming farmers or ranchers study animal husbandry and join 4-H clubs at school. When I say God has a 4-H club, I am using four English words that begin with "H" to describe God's character. This is my own summary after decades of interacting with the most incredible personality in the universe - God!
God made a covenant with Abram after he believed God's word and he was declared righteous. God changed Abram's name. He added an "H," thus making him, Abraham. "H" sounds like an exhalation of breath; a reminder of the Spirit who gives life. God put himself into the middle of Abraham's lineage with this prophetic name change.
What do my four "H"s stand for? Here is my list: God is Holy. God is Humble. God is Happy. God is Heart-Hungry, in that He desires for us to be reconciled with Him so we can have a relationship.
1) God is Holy. The word "holy" in the Bible means "other than" or "set apart." God is not like this world that is subject to decay or the pull of sin. He is higher than this created order, totally uncorrupted, full of life and light, and love, yet able to enter into our world and come into our hearts. Apart from God alone, no thing, place or person in this world is truly holy in the biblical sense of the word. Yet God's presence brings holiness.
2) God is Humble. This continues to surprise me about God. He is not pushy, haughty, or arrogant. He even allows us humans to resist him or to defy his will. He is supremely certain of who he is; yet he is not high-minded. He likes to associate with the lowly but he resists the proud and keeps them at a distance. He frequently met with Moses face to face. Why? Moses was meek. He and God were compatible. Jesus is also humble. As believers in Christ, we can do what Satan can never do: we can humble ourselves.
3) God is Happy. This is a delightful discovery. God smiles a lot! He enjoys us and he likes his creation. God is not miserable; he did not come from a dysfunctional family. He is not feeling sad or rejected. He is not a tyrant waiting to explode in rage. He is fun to be around! He wants us to be free of Satan's spells so we can have more divine joy as we interact within his kingdom. There is lots of laughter around our Father's table!
4) God is Heart-Hungry for lost people to be set free of guilt and bondage. He hates the things that hurt us. He yearns for our fellowship and he extends friendship to all who turn to him in faith. His heart is hungry to share more of heaven's freedom with us. He aches to embrace us, to adopt us. The proof is in the price he paid in love - the life of his Son.
Why don't you make a choice today to surrender to God? Just repent of rebellion and receive Jesus as your Lord. If you will take this step, you can join God's 4-H club!
RON WOOD IS A WRITER, MINISTER AND TEACHER. EMAIL HIM AT [email protected] OR VISIT WWW.TOUCHEDBYGRACE.ORG. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Editorial on 05/25/2016