Day 1: Genesis 1:1–2
Devotional
READ GENESIS 1:1–2
Genesis 1:1 is deceptively simple, yet it is perhaps the most profound sentence in all of the Bible. In the following verses, we learn that God spoke all of creation into existence – not just the natural world, but the supernatural realm as well. His voice set everything into motion! This incredible truth is absolutely essential to understanding His nature. God is the one and only Giver of life, and when sin brought death into the world, only God could bring life back.
We get a peek through the keyhole of eternity when we read Genesis 1:2 together with John 1:1-5. The word for Spirit in Genesis 1:2 is רוּחַ (rûaḥ) which means “breath”. Just as breath gives birth to a word, the breath of God, His Holy Spirit, spoke light into the darkness and order into the chaotic void. This understanding gives a whole new level of meaning and depth of insight when we read John 1:1-5. How inspiringly beautiful to know that Jesus is The Word, “spoken” into the world at His birth through the Holy Spirit. The one through Him all things were created (Colossians 1:16) entered creation itself to restore light from the darkness of sin, and life from death.
It's popular for people to say things like, “Well, the universe must be trying to tell me something” or “I’m just trying to send good thoughts into the universe.” Nonsense! The universe is vast and beautiful, but it is a created thing. Without God, it is formless, void, and dark. We’ve all experienced that chaotic world of darkness as we’ve faced sin, suffering, tragedy, and death. But praise God…it doesn’t have to be that way! The life that He gives Jesus, The Word made flesh, brings order to our chaos.
Genesis 1:1 is deceptively simple, yet it is perhaps the most profound sentence in all of the Bible. In the following verses, we learn that God spoke all of creation into existence – not just the natural world, but the supernatural realm as well. His voice set everything into motion! This incredible truth is absolutely essential to understanding His nature. God is the one and only Giver of life, and when sin brought death into the world, only God could bring life back.
We get a peek through the keyhole of eternity when we read Genesis 1:2 together with John 1:1-5. The word for Spirit in Genesis 1:2 is רוּחַ (rûaḥ) which means “breath”. Just as breath gives birth to a word, the breath of God, His Holy Spirit, spoke light into the darkness and order into the chaotic void. This understanding gives a whole new level of meaning and depth of insight when we read John 1:1-5. How inspiringly beautiful to know that Jesus is The Word, “spoken” into the world at His birth through the Holy Spirit. The one through Him all things were created (Colossians 1:16) entered creation itself to restore light from the darkness of sin, and life from death.
It's popular for people to say things like, “Well, the universe must be trying to tell me something” or “I’m just trying to send good thoughts into the universe.” Nonsense! The universe is vast and beautiful, but it is a created thing. Without God, it is formless, void, and dark. We’ve all experienced that chaotic world of darkness as we’ve faced sin, suffering, tragedy, and death. But praise God…it doesn’t have to be that way! The life that He gives Jesus, The Word made flesh, brings order to our chaos.
Personal Reflection
Have you ever experienced a sense of God’s majesty and awe through nature? What was that like? When did you see a beautiful scene and think, “Only God could have done this!”?
Has that experience ever occurred supernaturally in your mind and heart? Has the Spirit of God ever spoken to you from within? When did you most clearly sense His presence?
Has that experience ever occurred supernaturally in your mind and heart? Has the Spirit of God ever spoken to you from within? When did you most clearly sense His presence?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
3 Comments
Thanks for the encouraging words Rick! Amazing to think about the vastness of the universe and how much Bigger God is in order to create it. And yet, His personal presence is with me! Great reminder to listen and bee sensitive to the breath/Spirit of God today.
My favorite anthem is “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name”. Its lyrics speak to the subject of today’s message. This is a link to an early rendition. There are more elaborate versions with full orchestra, but I like this one: https://youtu.be/NfaQ8qoCUaA?si=vlvKwZrCPf7KxBaE
In the quietness and calm of the morning. The sound of the wind in the trees, the birds singing, the sunrise and even the crickets.