What Has God Done for You?

‘NOTHING!’ some might reply. ‘I have to work hard and look after myself.’ If that is how you feel, just reflect for a moment. How did you come to be?

Some nine months before you were born, two minute organisms met inside your mother. Together they formed a new, unique organism.

The larger of the two organisms was an ovum, or egg, supplied by your mother. The smaller organism was a sperm from your father​—so minute that, according to Sheila Kitzinger’s book The Experience of Childbirth, if all the sperm that produced all the people in the world were laid side by side, they would “cover little more than one inch [2.5 cm].” But once your father’s sperm penetrated your mother’s ovum, your genetic code was established and you were conceived!

Highly complex processes of development then began. They were “so intricate that, after more than a century of study, scientists aren’t even close to deciphering them,” wrote Andrea Dorfman in Science Digest.

As an example of growth processes that puzzle scientists, the same writer comments: “Growth control is an equally complex issue. Left and right arms, for example, develop completely independently from millimeter-long buds of tissue, yet they end up equal lengths. How do the cells know when to stop multiplying? . . . Each organ seems to have an internal means of growth control.” Are we not happy that this is so?

What causes and controls growth in all living organisms? A mindless force called nature? A hit-and-miss process called evolution? Is it not obvious that the astoundingly complex, tremendously varied, and superbly beautiful forms of life on this enchanting planet can only be the work of an almighty Creator? That being so, should we not feel deeply grateful for what he has done for us?

Infinite Evidence of Creative Marvels

Every day​—even hourly—​we benefit from creative marvels. For example, what happens when we sleep? Mental and muscular activities slow down automatically. This is not by our own volition, for we often fall asleep without realizing it. And how refreshing a good sleep is! Some can go for weeks with no food, but those who go for more than three days without sleeping have great difficulty thinking, seeing, and hearing.

After you awake in the morning, maybe someone brings you sweetened coffee. Sugar, once rare and expensive, is now so abundant that we seldom give it a thought. But how is it made? It is formed in plants by the process of photosynthesis​—the reaction of sunlight with water and carbon dioxide. At the same time oxygen, vital to all living creatures on earth, is released. Photosynthesis is a highly complex process that is still not fully understood by scientists. “How . . . is photosynthesis itself achieved?” asks the book The Plants. (Life Nature Library) “This is like asking how life begins​—we just do not know.”

Perhaps as you drink your coffee, you recall a television program of the previous evening. In your mind’s eye you can see those interesting scenes again. How were they transmitted to your brain, stored there like a roll of film, then played back so that you can describe them to others? Marvelous, is it not? How did man get the intelligence to do the amazing things he accomplishes? Certainly not from animals. Is not the human brain awesome?

The day has hardly begun. Yet what a lot we already have to thank the Creator for! But there is so much more.

What Other Benefits Flow From God?

DO YOU enjoy beautiful flowers, the perfume of roses, the song of birds? Were you thrilled by your baby’s first smile? Do you not appreciate appetizing aromas? And who does not admire a rainbow, a glorious sunset, or the stars on a clear night? God’s marvelous provisions are endless, are they not?

Yet there is so much misery. In spite of earth’s ability to produce plenty for all, millions are underfed. Millions more are poisoned by pollution. And billions today are affected by crime, greed, selfishness, and fear of what the future will bring.

Since the Creator has been so bountiful, why is there so much unhappiness? This planet is a marvelous place, made for us to enjoy. But the world​—mankind—​is in a pitiful state. For the majority of earth’s inhabitants, the outlook is dark, frightening. Why? What went wrong? Did God make man and then abandon him? Is there any light on this puzzling situation? Do we have any hope for the future?

A Source of Light and Hope

Nearly 2,000 years ago a unique baby boy was born​—unique because his mother, Mary, was human, and his father was God himself! ‘Impossible!’ do some say? No, not for the Originator of conception, the Maker of all the complex forms of life. That little boy grew up to be the perfect “man, Christ Jesus.”​—1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 1:18-25.

It was an epoch-making birth. In fact, most nations acknowledge this by dating historical events before his day as B.C.​—before Christ. And yet his early years were spent quietly as an assistant carpenter at his adoptive father’s home in Nazareth. Thirty years passed. Then, at the Jordan River, Jesus presented himself to do God’s will and was baptized, and Jehovah God’s holy spirit descended upon him. (Matthew 3:13-17) Jesus then began a dynamic campaign of preaching and teaching. As prophesied by Isaiah, “the people sitting in darkness saw a great light.”​—Matthew 4:14-17; Isaiah 9:2.

Jesus became the most famous and widely respected Teacher of all time. No other human teacher has exerted such a powerful influence on mankind or provided so much spiritual light and hope. What was his textbook? The Bible, as it was then​—the Hebrew Scriptures, or “Old Testament.” Jesus made them come alive. Many ancient prophecies were fulfilled in him. (Compare Micah 5:2 with Matthew 2:3-6.) He confirmed the account of Genesis regarding man’s origin. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-6) Jesus took up, amplified, and broadcast far and wide the main theme of the Bible​—the vindication of Jehovah by means of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 4:23; 6:10) Moreover, accounts of Jesus Christ’s life and works are prominent portions of the Christian Greek Scriptures, or “New Testament.” Yes, the Bible is a marvelous gift from God, a gleaming light in a dim, sad world.​—Psalm 119:105.

Only Jehovah, the Almighty, can get rid of Satan and his demons, put an end to the present corrupt world, and bring about a glorious new one under the heavenly Kingdom with his Son, Jesus Christ, as the King of kings.​—Matthew 6:9, 10; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 20:1-3.

What will this Kingdom accomplish? Who will survive the devastating global cleanup, or Armageddon? A very interesting fact that more and more people are coming to realize is that this heavenly government is already operating and preparing people to survive Armageddon! (Revelation 16:14-16) What kind of people must they be? Jesus Christ said: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones [the meek], since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) He thereby confirmed this ancient prophecy: “Before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah’s anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”​—Zephaniah 2:2, 3.

Meek ones not only will survive Armageddon but, by remaining faithful to God, will also inherit everlasting life. How? As already mentioned, Adam’s vast family of descendants lost the prospect of everlasting life through his sinful disobedience. Death came upon the whole human race through Adam. Since he was a perfect man, another perfect man was needed to ransom, or buy back, what Adam lost. Jesus Christ filled that need and gave his life “in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.”​—John 3:16.

This ransom provision is God’s greatest gift to man. It will apply not only to those who survive to enter the new world but also to those who come back from the dead. Does that sound too marvelous? Said Jesus: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.” What a thrill! How joyful for Armageddon survivors, who will be able to welcome their loved ones back from the dead!​—John 5:28, 29.

What a glorious prospect and hope! And all of this is provided by a loving Creator, Jehovah, through his beloved Son, Jesus. Although today the outlook is so dark and alarming, the future is full of light and hope for those who study the Bible and act on its heartening message. We live in thrilling times. The Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 24:33, 34) Praise Jehovah, the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present”!​—James 1:17.

As you meditate on the many ways in which we benefit from God’s provisions and purposes, you may feel a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to express it in some way. But if you are just beginning to understand and accept the real hope for the future, you may feel the need to delve a bit deeper. We encourage you to do just that. Continue studying God’s Word along with publications like this one that can help you to increase your knowledge and appreciation for God’s glorious purposes.

Those already having a clear conviction that God’s Kingdom is the only solution to mankind’s woes may feel like the inspired psalmist who said: “What shall I repay to Jehovah for all his benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12) Such individuals will find that telling others about what God has done for us and the glorious future he holds out to those who love and serve him brings deep satisfaction and real joy. Why? Because, as Jesus said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”​—Acts 20:35.