God's Creation - 1 Timothy 4:4-5

1 Timothy 4: 4-5

New International Version

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

For the remainder of October I have decided to study verses about God’s creations. I love nature. I love being outside in God’s handiwork and being able to see the beauty of nature. Fall is my second favorite season, behind summer, because of the beautiful colors. In autumn, nature is completing its natural course for the year and preparing for winter. The leaves on trees start to change color, and the plants begin to die. It is important for plants to do this each year so that they can properly be nourished by the Earth, and nourish the Earth. When a plant dies in the fall, it makes the soil beneath it enriched with all of its nutrients so the next season’s plant can be healthy.

In First Timothy 4, Paul is writing to Timothy about men who have abandoned the faith. Many of these men have believed in false idols and have abstained from eating certain foods. Paul tells Timothy that they are wrong in these actions God’s creatures were created to be received, and that we should be thankful for them. The literal understanding of this verse is suggesting that God would not restrict us from eating any animals because he has blessed them through prayer and God’s word (the footnote in this part of the verse references Hebrews 4:12).

To me, this verse has a much deeper meaning as well. Paul, with God’s guidance, is telling us to be thankful for the creatures that God has created, but I also think about how everything else that God has created is good. The trees, the sky, the ocean - these are all blessings in our life. We need animals and nature to live and thrive, and we need to be thankful that God has given us these gifts.

I love when Paul says that nothing is to be rejected. Everything God creates is good. Every animal is good and has a purpose, and all the trees and the weeds and the waters are good.

When I read this verse I think about how thankful I am to drive through the countryside and see the changing leaves, or go home and be welcomed by my dog. I am so thankful for the seed that made the pear tree that the pear in my lunch is from. We do not think about these little blessings from God all the time, but this verse reminds us to thank God everyday for what he has created to help us live our lives.

Thought questions:

What forms of nature have you used in your life on daily basis that you can be thankful for?

How can you incorporate more of God’s blessing of nature into your life?