Human Race – Word for the Soul

Why Am I Here?

July 26, 2024July 25, 2024 Loring Schultz

“From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.” Acts 17:26 NLT

Have you ever heard someone asked, ‘Why Am I Here?’ You made have asked yourself that question. Some people ask it in jest when things go awry questioning ‘why them.’ Others are deeply troubled at life and question ‘Why Am I Here?’ The short answer is, God’s Will, or you can say God’s providence. So, a deeper explanation might be needed.

The first book of the Bible Genesis says the following, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen.1:27 nlt) We are here because the God of universe decided to populate the earth He created and made the human race, the Incredible Race as we noted in Tuesday’s devotional. No one is here by accident or by chance no matter what some of our parents may have told us. God created the human race and the expansion of it is in His control and by His design.

God has also placed us on one of the six continents of the world which would be our home. It is entirely possible your parents or grandparents migrated to your home from another continent, or maybe you have yourself, still, it was God’s design for you. As we noted yesterday as God dispersed the people from Babel starting the development of the nations, God directed their movement where they would go. In fact, the development of all nations throughout history is under God’s control. Paul writes in the book of Acts, “From one man (Adam) he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.” (17:26 nlt)

So, why are you where you are? Again, the short answer is God’s Will. It’s hard for us to grasp a clear understanding of this I know, but God has your life planned out. Think of the movement of people throughout the years across the world due to wars, famine, and natural disasters, all are by God’s design and His purposes. Even the dumb choices we have all made in relocating to another area or to another country that turned out to be a huge mistake. It made have been a mistake on our part, but God is using it for His purpose. Wherever you are and whatever the circumstances that brought you here, take the opportunity to hear from God and fulfilled His purpose for you, that’s why you are here.

Devotionals

Why the Past Matters

July 25, 2024July 24, 2024 Loring Schultz

“These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.” Genesis 10:32 NLT

Representatives from 195 countries have arrived in Paris, France for the XXXIII Olympiad. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution for all Member States to observe the Olympic Truce. A pause in hostilities around the globe during the games may act as a catalyst for peaceful resolutions to all worldwide conflicts. The efforts are noble, but the world has been in constant conflict since sin entered it in the Garden of Eden. The nations may be in constant conflict, but we are all one people, one family, one race, the human race.

After the Lord scattered the people from Babel by confusing their language, Genesis chapter 10 gives the breakdown of the first nations in the areas now known as Asia, Europe, and Africa. These nations all descended from Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth after the great flood. They were few in number, but 7,000 years later there are 195 countries on this planet. Why does this matter? Because all of us are decedents from people in one of those early countries. As the number of nations grew and expanded across the globe our ancestors moved right along with them to our present day.

Knowing the past matters for our understanding of who we are in relation to each other and in the eyes of God. God is our creator and despite our differences in language and culture beginning at the tower of Babel we are all part of the human race. The tragic events that occur around the world creating trauma and chaos are rooted in sin. Sin that was enacted in the beginning with Adam and Eve. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro.3:23 nasb)

There is a small sample of every nation, culture and language in Paris, France the next two weeks. They may be from different nations, but all are part of the human race dating back to the first nations so many years ago. Those in the human race, that’s all of us, are in need of saving grace from Jesus Christ unto salvation whether in Paris or anywhere in the world. That is why the past matters.

Devotionals

The Incredible Race

July 23, 2024July 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b NLT

An incredible race is about to unfold before the world this Friday July 26, 2024. Over 10,000 athletes from 195 countries will be racing towards a gold, silver, or bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. This incredible race occurs every four years in a different country awarded the opportunity to host the games. The host nation displays their country, their culture, and the people with pride. Within 195 different countries there are many different cultures, nationalities, ethnic groups, and skin color. The Olympic games have a way of displaying God’s wonderful creation, the human race, the true incredible race. Our devotions this week will coincide with the thousands of athletes and fans from hundreds of cultures across the globe as they convene in Paris displaying God’s incredible race.

When you are among thousands of people who have gathered, it is natural to see the differences between yourself and other people. What do you notice first about those who differ from you? Do you have a first impression of them? And from where does that first impression come from? Does it come from recognizing every person as an image-bear of God? Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (nlt) Every human being in this incredible race is made in the image of God.

Our world today makes it easy to notice the difference in human beings and not always in a positive light calling out the mistreatment of selected individuals or people groups over others and rightly so. Sadly, others do so to push their own agenda without any care for the mistreated. It is easy even for Christians to get caught up in a non-biblical mindset.

Christians are to view everyone as seen through God’s eyes. “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1Sa.16:7b nlt) The gathering of the nations in Paris represents the gathering that will take place in the kingdom of heaven. All who have accepted Christ as savior from every nation in every corner of the world will be present, the incredible race.