THE LAND OF THE YOUNG

Chapter 1

  In the beginning God created the sun, the stars, the moon, the earth.  He created the stately pines, the leafy oak, and the willows flowing in the breeze.  He created roses that perfume the morning air and daisies that dot the fields with splotches of white and gold.  He created the deer that race gracefully across the meadows, the rabbit darting in and out of his den in the old hollow tree stump, and the kitten curled up on the bed covers.  He made the owl perched in the barn waiting for a tidbit at dusk, the blue jay screaming for his mate atop an ancient cedar, and a birdbath filled with chattering blackbirds noisily splashing on a hot summer day. He made the trout cavorting in the icy water of a busy mountain stream, a lazy carp snoozing in the calm water of a deep sheltered inlet.  Finally, God created man—His most magnificent creation—Man made in God’s image with a soul and freedom of choice.  Through this freedom of choice, sin came into the world.

Down through the ages God has made efforts to redeem His creation.  He met Moses on the mountain and through him sent His people the law.  When that failed, He sent His only Son to be born as a man to be sacrificed.  A small remnant of His people believed and were awarded salvation for their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, the further the message spread, the harder the forces of evil worked.