For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. 1 Samuel 2:8
I chose 1 Samuel 2:8 as this year's theme because it reminds me that the world, the universe, time, space and all things are under the Lord's dominion and belong to him. As we study ancient civilizations, many questions may arise: Why were there so many pagan cultures? Why did the Israelites continually go astray when God's presence seemed so clear? How could ancient civilizations put so much faith in mythical gods and superstitious practices? Younger children might ask: What happened to the dinosaurs? How did Adam and Eve's family grow when there were no other people on earth? Why did God allow so many battles and wars?
These and other queries are natural responses to historical accounts, and while they're not easily answered, they prompt us to search Scripture and other sources. God has revealed to us exactly what we need to know; this is not to say He has given us all He knows. As Edmund A. Steimle (1907-1988) writes, "There is a mystery about the nature and ways of God that you and I can never expect to fathom entirely-otherwise God would not be God. We do but touch the fringe of his garment."
The pillars of the world are the Lord's. We belong to him and He balances the world on the foundation He has established. The mysteries embedded in centuries past are part of God's design and are above our understanding. It is wise for us to humbly approach the story of God's universe, remembering that, "It is His act alone that gives the laws any events to apply to. The laws are an empty frame; it is He who fills that frame-not now and then on specially 'providential' occasions, but at every moment. And He, from His vantage point above Time, can, if He pleases, take all prayers into account in ordaining that vast complex event which is the history of the universe." (C. S. Lewis, God in the Dock).
And so, we proceed into the future, dwelling in the peace and safety of our Mighty Creator. I leave you with words to ponder from the hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten".
Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
Evermore and evermore.
