Fierce

The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobras den, and the young child will put its hand into the vipers nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:7-9 (NIV)

Bears have a reputation of being incredibly aggressive when their cubs are under threat. This beautiful passage in Isaiah paints a surprising picture where no real danger can be found. Predator and prey rest in harmony together and even the venomous snake is no threat to playing infants. In both the above scriptures, the implication is that the glory and knowledge of the Lord affects all creationpeople, animals and nature. It is as though the rocks and trees are yearning for us as children of God to arise and know that the fullness of Christ is alive within us (Ephesians 4:13). After his resurrection, Jesus instructed his disciples to Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). He has given us the authority to partner with Him as He reconciles all of creation back to himself. In this urgent era of climate change and environmental emergencies, God is not only raising up leaders and influencers who carry his wisdom for change, but also his children who will simply decree healing and wholeness over the earth, the ozone layer, and every part of our planet. The finished work of the cross covers not only our sin, but it has also paid for the restoration of everything in heaven and on earth. He has neither neglected nor forgotten the work of his hands. He is fiercely good.