Thoughts come from a wide variety of sources. Some from messages I have heard from individuals, some from assembly Bible studies, some from home life and some from books I have read. The Holy Spirit is the Teacher who makes them real to me.
- "The Believer's Bible Commentary," by William MacDonald
- "Genesis in the light of the New Testament," by F.W. Grant
- "The Gospel in Genesis," by Henry Law
- "The Life Application Bible." Tyndale House and Zondervan
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
GENESIS: BEFORE THE BEGINNING I started a journey early this morning, hoping that in some way I could better understand the dealings of God with all humanity in general, and in particular, with me as a man.
I looked back into the ancient past, before there was earth, sun, moon and stars. Back even before there was dark - back to all I know for sure that was there, was God: eternal in existence, Three Persons in One - Father, Spirit and Son.
Each One is Light, for God is Light, in Him is no darkness at all. So, I must conclude, before there were "things" all must have been light - everywhere, for everywhere is where God does dwell.
In my journey of thought, I needed a basis: a standard to guide me lest I go off on some tangent that is beyond being biblical. I thought of plans God had made before the days of creation began. There was fellowship and love between Divine Persons [John 17:4]. There was a harmony that existed between them that now was being planned to share with mankind. The plans for creation and mankind were done with a reason [Acts 15:18]. God had a purpose [Isaiah 46:11] and He was going to do it.
In the fathomless mind of God, He chose people [Ephesians 1:4] that He could develop into a family to give love to and receive love from. A closeness would be there that would blend the infinite intellect, emotions and will of God, with the limited intellect, emotions and will of humans. In view of that He would create man in His own image.
So, as I watched in my mind all this unfold, I saw a book of names written - names of prepared people. Not one was insignificant, not one was a mistake - every one capable of loving God and devotion to Him [Revelation 13:8; 17:8]. A plan was designed and a way made possible for love to be a choice, not just a demand or a trait. It began to unfold before me as I watched light and darkness divide; and ways of intelligent choices to be developed unfold in a beautiful pattern of the divine will taking place in six remarkable days of creation [1 Peter 1:20].
The life that was uniquely God's, was planned and executed so that man could partake of the life of God [Titus 1:2]. Love was not just a form of obedience, just a duty; God allowed sin to give mankind a choice as to who they would love and who they would serve - and who they would follow into the waiting eternity. God provided a perfect redemption for the coming imperfect people [1 Corinthians 2:7] who He knew would need this means of reconciliation. All of this was planned before there was a world, a planetary system or galaxies
- or human life at all.
As I watched in my thoughts, I wondered and worshipped at the amazing foresight and plans of an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God. He who has a perfect and complete panoply of all the right personality characteristics, wants to share them with as many as possible. I am absolutely awed - because He means - even with me!
What holy convocations! What holy conversations! Were held between divine Persons before the world began.
Each One the same in essence! Each One different in personality! Divine order was maintained in the Godhead relating to the plan. The place to start was in empty space and hung there on nothing. There came from the mind and power of God - A work that is beyond human description - The imprint of those Personalities indelibly impressed On every part of that remarkable creation. There is no way to fathom it all. even though men have been trying To find and describe in words what humans have always been eyeing. We can see the beauty of a matchless creation - We can measure heights and breadths, but beyond our imagination Are degrees of heat, the brightness of light - The activity beneath our feet, the power to produce life. The vastness of space; the smallest of all particles - The uniqueness of our place; the greatest of all articles. So, with awe and amazement, I look into the past - And simply accept that God has done what is best. So, I can accept with even my small amount of faith - That God has given me enough so that I can trace His handiwork, His wisdom, that reveal to me - The is a Supreme Being who I cannot see. But much more than that is the assurance that He Is not just a force, but has a personality That is full of love, mercy, grace and compassion - All directed my way that I can know and love Him. Therefore, in childlike faith, I lift up my voice And praise Him and honor Him for giving me the choice To believe and trust Him without any reservation, And I accept the Bible facts that He gave me His salvation.
"Holy God, it is with reverence and faith I come to Thee and thank Thee for including this insignificant piece of humanity in Thy eternal plans. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."