One of the sadder passages of Scripture (actually the only sad passage of Scripture in Genesis chapters 1-2) is Genesis 2:19-20:  ¹⁹Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.  Do you see what's sad?  God created every living creature, but no suitable "helper" was found.

I put "helper" in quotes, because according to one of my professors who knew Hebrew as I know English said a better translation of the Hebrew word is "completer."  All the animals in the world couldn't bring the kind of joy to Adam, he would know once Eve was created.  Walter Wangerin, Jr. once described the situation Adam experienced when he looked into a cow's eyes:  "No one was home."  I know what Wangerin was saying.  I've looked into a cow's eyes, and while they are enormous, it doesn't seem like anyone is looking out through them. 

As we consider what it means to be the "prized possession" of God (James recorded this idea in James 1:18 NLT), and what it meant for human beings to be "new" as part of the new creation God made, Genesis 2 creates as sense of expectancy and anticipation as it records God's preparation to create a "completer" for Adam.  More about that tomorrow.  For today, consider what it means to be God's prized possession, and what it means that we are created in God's image, and that we have authority over all the other creatures in creation.  

By the way, have you paused today to praise God for the amazing creation He made for us?

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thanks so much for all You have created, and for giving us the primary position of authority on the earth, as those created in Your image! Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may enjoy your grace and extend Your glory in all we are and do today.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.