Genesis 1:1-2:4 – Creation is Good

Read Genesis 1:1-2:4

The best place to get to know our majestic and gracious God is to look at the creation of the world. We can learn so much from the Bible account of creation. Yet, it can be hard when we hear about the millions of years the earth has been in existence. How are we supposed to understand what Genesis tells us?

It’s important to remember that the Bible is God’s Word to us. This holy book has a purpose in our faith journey. While it’s full of history and stories God wants us to know, it doesn’t cover every single moment. It’s best when we think of the Bible as God’s message to us, so we can understand how God and man intersect in this world.

This may be your first time reading the creation story or the hundredth. Every time we read the Bible, new insights are often revealed. What spoke to you today?

The first words are powerful. “In the beginning God…” Everything that comes from the beginning starts with God. God is the creator of all things, the artist of his own masterpiece.

Such a majestic and gracious act! How fitting that our powerful God would merely speak everything into existence. We see, “Then God said” each time he pronounced something new. Such a clever and creative God. It can be mind-boggling when you think of how intricate the design of our world really is. Take some time to marvel at some of the beauty around you today.

This is the creation story I choose to put my faith in. I believe our wise God is more than capable of crafting all that we see here, including humans in his own image. For each new element of creation, “God saw that it was good.” God was pleased with his handiwork.

God placed his seal of approval on his creation, and that includes us. Let God’s words of pleasure sweep over you. You are “very good.” How do you respond to that? We can merely stand in awe. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t good enough or that you were damaged in some way, you’re not alone. Remember, God is pleased with his creation.

What questions come to mind for you about creation? Maybe you wonder about what God meant when he said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” If you get stuck on the “us,” it might help to remember that the Trinity (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) were all present at creation. The trinity is a concept that many people have a hard time grasping. One God in three Persons. We’ll unpack more about that later.

What goes through your mind when you think of yourself being in the “image” of God? That’s a lot of responsibility, isn’t it? Take time to listen and let God speak to your heart today on this one. Know that you are precious to him and loved by him. Note that after he made man, what he saw was “very good”!

Let’s pray. Father, each time I think of how complex and vast the world is, my mind explodes just a little. Your majesty and grace astound me and bring me to my knees. Thank you for loving me and providing all this beauty to enjoy. I am grateful for the reminder that you were pleased with your creation, which includes me. Help me to be a good steward of your creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.