“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; but the earth he has given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:16 NKJV)
“The heavens belong to our God; they are his alone, but he has given us the earth and put us in charge.” (Psalm 115:16 TPT)
“The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.” (Psalm 115:16 NLT)
“The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth he has given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:16 AMP)
“The heavens are the LORD’s, but the earth He has given to the human race.” (Psalm 115:16 HCSB)
“The Heaven of Heavens is LORD JEHOVAH’s and the Earth he has given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:16 ABIPE)
“The highest heaven belongs to the LORD, but he has given the earth to the descendants of Adam.” (Psalm 115:16 GOD’s WORD Translation)
“The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but he gave the earth to human beings.” (Psalm 115: 16 International Standard Version)
“The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.” (Psalm 115:16 New American Standard Bible)
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:16 King James Bible)
This verse blows my mind. It puts all of my religious thinking on tilt, and contradicts so many of the songs that have been composed, books that have been written, and sermons that have been preached about the sovereignty of God. It seems that one of the most predominant themes of all of Christianity is stated in the simplistic saying that “God is in control.” Psalm 116:15 echoes the original Genesis account, and clarifies just who it is that holds the responsibility for the thigs taking place in this earth. I will just say it…
…God is not in control, I am.
Daddy is continuing to reveal to me just how dangerous the mainline understanding of His sovereignty is. Just like with Job, when I attribute everything that happens to God, then I make myself free game for the enemy.
Oh my goodness, now I have gone too far. If God has given the earth to me, and has put me in charge, then I can no longer dodge responsibility, or cast blame on Him when things are rough. I can no longer take a hands off approach to life’s happenings while singing, “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be.” I can no longer sit in the passenger seat proclaiming, “Must be the Lord’s will, after all God is in control.”
Go back and read the original Genesis account with this verse in mind. It was Adam’s responsibility to take dominion of the earth, not God’s. Adam was charged with the responsibility to rule over nature and subdue the enemy, not God. Adam and Eve were to fill the earth by being fruitful and multiplying, not God. The Creator gave the Earth to His creation (Adam and Eve) and delegated His authority and power to them. The One who holds all authority, dominion, and power over all of creation chose to delegate those things to Adam and his descendants in order to be in charge of the earth and everything in it. That is you, and that is me.
There is smoke coming out of my ears, so I had better stop here. Until tomorrow let’s give Daddy a chance to talk us through this as we do our best to absorb…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 279 Life’s True Hero (Psalm 115) – Part 11 – Verse 16 continued