Rich Robson presents a powerful reflection on God’s perfect design in creation and His unmatched love for humanity. He begins by highlighting how every element of nature—the earth, sea, weather, day and night, and the celestial bodies—operates in flawless obedience to God’s laws. Humans, however, stand apart as the only part of creation granted free will. While it is to their benefit to obey their creator, humans are nonetheless perfectly free to disobey and suffer the attendant consequences. While you are free to choose to obey or to disobey, there is no negotiating the consequences for your choice.
Rich explains that this freedom was part of God’s intentional design, resolving the tension between determinism and free will by affirming that God determined that humans are free to choose their own destiny. They are free to choose obedience which leads to life, or to choose disobedience which leads to death. Using the analogy of a cruise ship, he illustrates how God’s sovereign plan of a renewed garden of Eden remains on course, even as individuals make their own decisions along the journey.
Rich then shifts focus to God’s deep love for people, emphasizing that, above all creation, it is humanity that God cherishes most—even with their propensity to disobey. He makes it clear that salvation is not something earned by works or perfect obedience, but a gift received through trust in God, who saved us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ while we were still sinners. In closing, Rich contrasts the pride of Satan, who sought to exalt himself, with the humility of Jesus, who chose to submit to God’s will. This contrast serves as an invitation for us to respond to God’s grace not out of obligation, but with love, humility, and thankfulness. We love Him because He first loved us.