“If you ever get to Italy, go to Florence. You must see Michaelangelo’s David.” My art history professor said it more than once while I attended his classes. So when my daughter invited us to accompany her on a trip to that country to celebrate her 40^th birthday, the first thing I put on my list was “See the David.”

I was not disappointed. We entered the Accademia Gallery with a huge tour group (they estimate 6,000 people view the statue every day) and when I turned my head as we entered, I caught my breath and whispered, “there it is.” We were some distance away but even so, standing at 5.17-metres (17 ft) tall, the statue was impressive. The tour guide explained that the hands and feet are disproportionately large because it would be viewed from below.

Originally it was commissioned for the front of the cathedral in Florence but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504. 

I can’t pretend to know what was in Michaelangelo’s mind when he created his masterpiece. I would hope his intention was to depict a young boy, the least of his brothers, who was not even counted worthy enough to be presented to the prophet when he came to anoint Israel’s new king. That depiction would have been true to scripture. (1Samuel 16:1-13).

But other forces held sway. We know what was in the minds of the men who commissioned the statue. They wanted a representation of a virile, heroic man, to symbolize the power and might of their city. It seems their intention had nothing at all to do with the Biblical character of one of God’s most beloved servants.

This certainly would not be the first nor last time that God’s intentions were usurped by the political desires of men of power. It is a familiar ploy of Satan, to take what God intended to be good, honourable and holy and twist it into something totally disconnected from those sentiments.

God’s most precious and powerful tool, the Bible itself, has been used in that way, used to justify despicable acts, used in the hands of dishonourable men as a symbol of their fake allegiance to the God of the Bible.

But …

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7,8).

The lies men perpetuate will come back to haunt them. They too will stand before God and be judged, as will we all. We all should heed the warning of Galatians 6.

God will never allow Himself to be mocked.

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By Marcia Lee Laycock

A friend of mine once revealed his hidden talents. He sent us a Christmas card with a picture of a painting he created some time ago. The card sat on our table for quite a while after the season was past, because I loved the image. It’s a winter scene of a tiny bird sitting on the curl of a barbed wire fence.

As I stared at it one day it made me think of how true a representation of life it is. There are so many contrasts in our lives – many things that are beautiful, soft and fragile like that tiny bird, and many things that are hard, hurtful and ugly, like that strand of barbed wire. Though the two seem to be so opposite, they both have purpose. That tiny bird is part of a huge eco-system that is finely tuned and elegantly balanced. Its song adds to the air of our existence and its beauty gives us pleasure. Tiny birds are examples of God’s goodness to us – that he would give us such things just to make us smile and turn our world toward harmony.

And that barbed wire – the cold, sharp and ugly wire – has a purpose too. Just ask any farmer who has stock to control. Without barbed wire, animals would wander, perhaps into dangerous places. Without the boundaries that wire represents there would be a lot of chaos in our world.

Several people we know have gone through some hard and ugly things lately. Some of those things are ongoing. It’s hard to see purpose in them, hard to see that there will be any good come of these things, yet we know some day there will be. Some day we may even see and understand. We know that, because we know our God. He is a God of order and balance and beauty who sees all things – the greater good, the bigger picture, the expanse of the eco-system He created – and He is in control of it all. We can know He is working all things out according to His purposes.

I was teaching a group of children about this recently. We were studying the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis – that young boy who was so loved by his father and so hated by his brothers. We talked about the hard and ugly things Joseph went through – betrayal by family, slavery, wrongful imprisonment. But finally we came to those famous words Joseph spoke to his terrified brothers –

 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).

God was, is, always will be in control. He told his disciples as much, and He has told us –

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV).

As we launch into a new year – 2025! Can you believe it? – Knowing God is in control is a great comfort to all believers. If you have not yet received that gift, but want to, please contact me. vinemarc AT Telus dot Net

And have a wonderfully blessed New Year!