Reflect for a while on the thoughts in the mind of God as He inhaled to breathe out His creative words. As this vast universe burst into being out of nothing, in obedience to the breath of His mouth (Psalm 33:6), God was resolved on a work so costly it will take eternity to estimate. I take such pleasure in the thoughts that God was in no way obligated to create this universe at all. As we considered the eternal delight of God existing as the Person of God, we concluded that He didn’t need to create at all, He could be eternally and completely happy in our absence. Yet, God chose to create and lavish the rich experience of sheer existence in the image of God on human beings. This is an intention in the mind of God too wonderful to comprehend.

Moving beyond that thought, we must ponder the shocking reality of mankind’s rebellion against God. We have used those blessed faculties God has given us to attempt to establish ourselves as our own final authority and have taken up a position as God’s enemies. As the all-seeing eye of God looks deeply upon this scene, thoughts abound in His mind that are beyond the grasp of the human mind, even if he were given an eternity and ten billion times his intellect to work them out. Looking upon the human race, knowing them intimately even before setting His hand to form Adam from the dust, knowing their rebellion, gracelessness, mercilessness, loveless-ness and faithfulness-less, He (God) is under no obligation, after creating them, to provide a way for them to be reconciled to Himself after they have rebelled against Him.

Yet in His mercy, grace and patience—thrilling perfections—God speaks the word, He forms that man, fully knowing the extent to which He will have to give as a result. It was not necessary for Him to create, yet He chose to—because of the wonderful intentions in His heart. After He had “decided” to create this world of people, He was under no obligation to provide salvation for them, yet, He chose to—because of the wonderful intentions in His heart. God, as it were, stepped across the line and committed Himself to a vast, costly, agenda. And as we consider this intention in the mind of God, let us not conclude with the personal experience of life in this world. Let us not conclude that the motivating power of seeing the beauty of God is the final product of God’s intentions for His people. Let us not fall into the trap of seeking to serve God because you personally can find satisfaction in that. Let us press further into those wonderful intentions of God as he laid His hand to the sand from which He created Adam.