Divine Intervention: It’s Natural!

In our conflicted days where we cannot decide if the world was the special creation of God or a result of natural processes, it does us good to examine the question of God’s interaction with the world today. It is likely the questions surrounding science and origins will never be answered to everyone’s satisfaction until the “Day of the Lord,” when the new creation and New Jerusalem is revealed with Jesus Himself.

Thus, I submit that we who claim the name of Christ should focus on the nature of God to provide us with a framework for tackling the question of special creation, of Divine intervention, of the God of Israel (YHWH) creating and relating to His creation. Therefore, I leave the questions regarding the literal account in Genesis for another time.

My examination turns to the Creator’s personal involvement in His creation today. For that the following text is useful:

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
(Psalms 147:7-11 ESV)

This excerpt is one of several examples that declare God is active in His creation. Notice that YHWH himself creates clouds and rain, and he makes grass grow. To accomplish that would require intimate understanding of atmospheric conditions and of the earth itself. Moreover, He feeds the animals both large and small. YHWH is personally involved in the most basic processes of animal life. From this text it would seem the Creator is not only seen as instrumental in the original creation, but He maintains all life and that which sustains life.

The Psalmist then shifts his focus from the animal kingdom to mankind and specifically on God’s covenant people—those who fear Him. Here special consideration and expectations arise. What is striking is the Lord taking pleasure on those who rely on him in fear. There seem to be no expectations from the animals to respond to the Creator, yet YHWH takes pleasure in those who place their trust in His provision.

At the same time He does not delight in man’s own effort to make a life for himself: “His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man” (verse 10). Yes, man should work (the Bible is clear that laziness is discouraged), and I think in this context the horse's strength corresponds to man's use of the animal. Yet God delights when man recognizes that the fruit of our labor as coming from God. NASB renders verse 11b “Those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Thus, the text encourages us to recognize YHWH as the loving provider and for us to wait on the Lord.

The Hebrew word used in verse 11 is chêsêd (pronounced kheh'-sed). It describes God’s goodness, kindness, faithfulness. It is found 246 times in the Old Testament (NASB):

deeds of devotion 2, devotion 1, devout 1, faithfulness 1, favor 2, good 1, kindly 7, kindness 32, kindnesses 1, loveliness 1, lovingkindness 176, lovingkindnesses 7, loyal deeds 1, loyalty 6, mercies 1, merciful 2, mercy 1, righteousness 1, unchanging love 2
(http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=02617&version=nas)

It is the loving faithfulness of YHWH for those who fear Him that proves God is active and working in His creation every day. When one reads the biblical stories of YHWH and His dealings with the world, man, and His chosen people with whom He made covenants of promise, one can readily see YHWH regards His creation with love and faithfulness. Moreover, there are countless followers of the Messiah who can testify to God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness in their daily lives and specific circumstances.

As history unfolds and the remaining promises are fulfilled completely, there will be no doubt that God’s design was not only to create but to relate to His creation and the debate will be over. Regardless of whatever scientific research may assert, we must set our faith in YHWH and recognize his lovingkindness and faithfulness to the universe, world, nations, communities, and individuals who “fear him” and “hope in his steadfast love.”