“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good… And God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ And it was so… And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so… And God saw that it was good. And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.’ And it was so… And God saw that it was good. And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so… And God saw that it was good. And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.’ So God created the great sea creatures… And God saw that it was good. And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so… And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:1,3-4,6-7,9-10,11-12,14-15,18,20-21,24-27,30-31
The Creation account in Genesis 1 is beautiful, personal, orderly- just as is creation itself. We see the triune, sovereign God’s plan, and the careful carrying out of that plan, day by day, each new facet preparing the way for the next, each perfectly accomplished, each declared good, with the crowning glory of creation, man, bringing a final ‘very good.’ All God says, He does, by the power of His breath and in His perfect way and will. All He begins, He completes. The Book of Beginnings sets out this premise as a foundation for our lives: He is intimately involved in all our ways and His plans for us cannot be thwarted. We can trust this good Ruler. (Psalm 18:30; 139:3; Job 42:2; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 1:3)
At the beginning of a new year, I can know this King is on His throne, alert, in control, certain in purpose, wielding all power and authority. I can rejoice in all that comes to pass, because it comes through His hands of love and grace. I can plan with confidence, because He leads me and knows the future. I can serve with abandon, because He is worthy of my all. And I can venture into unknown waters with courage and without fear, because He is with me and on my side. (Isaiah 6:1,8; 43:2-3; John 10:3; Romans 8:31; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 2:8)
Creator God, You Who made all things well, may my life pronounce Your ways “good.” Create in me a clean and uncompromising heart, that I may robustly praise Your name and eagerly live according to Your plans, moment by moment, for the glory and honor You deserve. (Psalm 51:10; 119:2,34)
As the rain and snow 