Friends, I’m trying a new direction for my posts here. I wish I had started at the beginning of the year but at least today begins a new month. What I will try to do is spend a week in each book of the Bible in order, picking verses from various places. For some, like Genesis, this will only be an overview. For some shorter works, it may seem we’ve covered everything. I’m using a translation I have only recently discovered, the New English Translation (NET). The online version contains translator’s notes, explaining their choice of words. I hope this will continue to be a daily devotional, but also perhaps leads to some deeper study – at least for me!
Our scripture this morning is Genesis 1:1 (NET).
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
“In the beginning” means literally that. There was nothing before God decided to create out of nothing. Some of you know my grandfather was a pastor and he had the best jokes with a lesson. There’s a really good one about a “creating contest” between God and a human. God reaches down for a handful of dirt, so the human does as well. God knocks the dirt out of his hand and says “you have to create your own dirt!” This exposes our hubris in thinking we can be like God! If you want to be objective, we are no better than 3D printers, able only to use the material God gives us. True creation belongs to Him and Him alone.
Gracious God, You created everything that is and gave it to us to use in Your name. Bless us to be better stewards of all You have given us, using it well for all Your children. Amen.
