Genesis 1.26 records God’s creation of man in His image in order to rule over all the creatures of the earth.

The first identification man has with God is God’s status as ruler. While we wrestle to understand what it means for us to be created in God’s image God begins defining it by stating we are to rule as He is ruler.

Since our rebellion against God we have continued to define ourselves as rulers while ignoring the One Who rules over all. While we are to rule the created earth we are to do so in the character and nature of God.

While we are to rule the created earth we are to first recognize our Ruler.

How much we detest those who defy our rule, how we despise the arrogant ruler in our midst yet we think nothing of how our God feels toward His creatures, humanity, who defy Him and despise Him and ignore His Sovereignty over all.

Men rule selfishly, men rule ruthlessly, men rule for their own glory and gain.

While God Rules for His glory for He is certainly glorious, He rules for the benefit of the ruled. God’s ways are good for our health, our soul and our spirit.

God’s ways bring us life, they lead to our eternal welfare, and they make us better.

We ignore God as Ruler only because we have believed the lie offered from the beginning that God is not good and holds back from us what is best for us. There is no truth to this.

God is the good Ruler, our first responsibility as created beings is to turn to Him and recognize Him as our Ruler then obey His commands for His glory and our good welfare.