Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

 It is hard to think about the earth being formless and empty.  Our human brains tend to forget that the world we live in is not all about us.  In today’s advanced world it takes more and more to impress and entertain our human appetite, and this feeds a growing world problem—we lack awe.  

 The word “awe” is a mixture of reverence and fear and wonder. A glance back at the beginning gives us an opportunity to be still before our God and marvel at His handiwork.  Spending time in God’s Word allows us to look up from the world we live in and look upon the splendor of our Heavenly Father.  The first chapter of Genesis humbles us and rightfully reminds us of our place in this world.  He is our God, and we are His people (2 Corinthians 6:16).  A glance back to the beginning of the world displays the glory of our Creator and if we allow ourselves to marvel, it will take our breath away.

 Genesis 1:3 records spoken words of God.  And God said, “let there be light,” and there was light.  We live in a world of day and night, sky and heavens, land and sea, plants and animals, and of course, people all because God said let there be…and it was so…and God saw that it was good.   

 Will you make time today to wonder and marvel at God’s Creation?  Take your Bible outside and find a place to sit and read all 31 verses of Genesis 1.  Let the fresh air fill your lungs.  Be still and take it all in as you read.  Enjoy God’s handiwork.  Like a camera lens, let your eyes zoom in and focus on the smallest details.  Watch the smallest insect.  Take in the symmetry of leaves or detailed flowers.  Listen to the variety of bird calls. Then let your eyes zoom out and sit awestruck under the expanse of the sky.  How small we become next to the towering trees or the mountains and sea. As we wonder at nature let it remind us of the creativity, order, and power of God. 

 Creation also reminds us to take the Word of God seriously.  Making time for awe means not only marveling at the design of God’s Creation, but also reading and responding in obedience to His written Word.  With reverent fear, creation reminds us that God means what He says.  “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast” (Psalm 119:89-90).  May we never cease to marvel at the wonders of our Great God–make time for awe!

 PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I stand in awe before you.  I marvel at Your mighty hand and Your glory in all creation.  Who am I that You would welcome me into Your presence? Yet through Christ I get to abide there every day. The thought of Your everlasting love overwhelms my heart.  Guard my heart and let me never take Your splendor for granted!  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.