On the two most notable occasions when the phrase “In the beginning” is used in the Bible it opens a book and introduces the God who speaks and amazing things happen.
Genesis 1:1, the first book and first verse of the Bible, recalls, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Following these words is an account of the creation of the world. One hallmark within this remarkable and glorious story of beginnings is the manner in which the universe is created. God speaks. God says a word and the physical response to the utterance of God’s thoughts is overflowing, abundant, wonderful life!
God speaks and light pierces the darkness. God speaks and the brightness of day separates from the darkness of night. God speaks and the sky surrounds the globe like a blanket of love that both contains and nurtures. God speaks and dry ground rises as the primordial waters gather into the places He prescribes, within the boundaries He establishes.
God speaks and green covers the earth, and with the green the capacity to reproduce itself and fill the earth with the evidence of God’s creative genius. Trees and seed-bearing plants fill the new created ground when God speaks.
God speaks and the sun, moon and stars fill the heavens. God speaks and fish fill the seas, birds fill the air, and livestock and animals fill the earth. All this when God speaks into what is formless and void, cold, dark, empty. All this when God puts His heart into words.
Imagine when God speaks into your life! Imagine the glory and power when the Creator expresses His love and joy into your heart. Even the deepest emptiness will overflow with life when God speaks.
Does God speak to hearts? Is He still creating masterpieces of glory today?
The words “in the beginning” open the gospel, the Good News, according to John. Here God writes the story of the Word, Jesus Christ, who becomes human, takes on the life of those He created. He is full of grace and truth.
He begins to speak the words of the Creator once again in the hearing of men and women, boys and girls, for the express purpose of seeing overflowing, abundant, wonderful life recreated in their emptiness. “I am come,” said the Word, “that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.”
In times past God spoke through prophets and messengers but now He speaks through His Son. In Christ God speaks forgiveness into the hearts of the guilty. He speaks acceptance to the shamed. He speaks renewal to the weary. He speaks joy to the mourning and hope to the afflicted. And if you will listen with your heart, you will find He is speaking to you.
That’s the Good News.
Pastor Dale McIntire has served as pastor of the Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais since April of 1995.
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