Fight for Joy! Devotional - 1/1/2017

Today begins day 1 of my journey thorugh the Bible using a modified version Professor Grant Horner's Bible Reading Plan. As often as I can I plan to post a devotional thought from one of the selected readings for the day.

Reading: Genesis 1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

Genesis is a book about beginnings. The English title, Genesis, comes from the Greek tanslation meaning "origins". The Hebrew title is derived from the Bible's very first word,  re'shiyth, which is translated "in the beginning." The New Testament writers quoted from Genesis  over 35 times and there are hundreds of allusions to Genesis in both the Old and New Testaments. Genesis accounts for the beginning of creation, the beginning of time, the beginning of history, the beginning of God's chosen people--Israel, and the beginning of redemption. In fact, the story of redemption which begins in Genesis 3 is not fully completed until the last two chapters of the Bible--Revelation 21 and 22. 

Who is this God about whom the author of Genesis writes in Genesis 1:1 as the Creator of all things? He is none other than Jesus Christ. Speaking of Christ, Paul writes, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:15-16). The writer of Hebrews says the same thing, pointing out it is Christ, "through whom also He made the world" (Hebrews 1:2).

Although it is not fully revealed in Genesis 1, Christ is God the Creator. What is fully revealed in Genesis 1, is God creating heaven and earth (1) very recently, i.e., thousands not millions of year ago; (2) out of nothing; and (3) in six consecutive 24 hour days.  The Bible is at variance with any philosophy that excludes God or suggests a creation date earlier than about 10,000 years ago.

An orderly creation acount reveals the fact of God's existence. In Romans Paul writes, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). The heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) includes all of creation.

God's creation also reveals He is a God of purpose. This is seen, not only the creation account itself, but His revelation of Himself to and through Israel. 

What now?

• Consider the wonderful reality of God's creation. God created this world. He set history in motion. You are a part of that history.
• History has a beginning and it has an ending. Are you ready for the ending? There's only one way to get ready and that is through a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God, I praise you for who you are--the Creator, My redeemer and King. Help me to wonder after Your creation and discover my place in it.

---