God Creates Part II (Genesis 1:3-5)

Genesis 1:3-5 (NASB):

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

     Yesterday we saw how God brought the universe out of nothing in Genesis 1:1-2 by the Holy Spirit. Today, I want us to focus on how God created all things by His Word. 

     God demonstrated His power by speaking everything into existence. Some mythical creation accounts involved monsters and cosmic struggles. Unlike these myths, Genesis presents one God who spoke creation into being and who is still in control of His creation. God did not create everything at one moment but instead in a specific order and with a specific purpose in mind.

     These are the first recorded words of God in Scripture. The Bible affirms that all of creation is the product of "the word of the Lord" and "breath of His mouth" (Psalm 33:6).

     Many people debate the method of creation. If we believe in an omnipotent God, such theories are irrelevant. Scripture's testimony is sufficient. God spoke and caused everything to come into being. The phrase, "then God said," reminds us of John 1:1-3, where Christ is called "the Word" who "was with God in the beginning" and who served as the Divine Agent of creation. What Moses proclaimed simply as, "then God said," the Gospel writer further explained as the creative, life-giving force of the eternal Word of God.

     In the absence of light there is darkness. God called light into being alongside darkness. At this point, the sun and stars had not been fashioned. We are reminded again of the opening verses of John's Gospel in which the life-giving Word also is "the light of men" that the darkness cannot overcome (John 1:4-5). In the New Jerusalem of heaven, "night will no longer exist" (Revelation 22:5). There will be no need for either sunlight or lamplight, for God Himself will give light to His people. He was, is, and will be the Source of all light.

     Naming has important implications in Scripture. It can be an expression of authority over the person or thing named. For example, God gave the first man (Adam) the responsibility of naming all the living creatures over which he was to have dominion (Gen. 2:19). Naming also can be an expression of relating closely with a person of thing named. The risen Lord Jesus promises to write His "new name" on all who endure in faith in the time of testing (Revelation 3:12).

     Just as God created the universe with a specific order and purpose in mind, you too, were created for a specific purpose. Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV) tells us:

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

     You may be struggling today with circumstances that look bleak. You might even be questioning God as to your purpose in life.  Friend, let me encourage you. God created you with a specific plan and purpose in mind. Ask God to reveal that purpose to you today. James 1:5 (NIV) states, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

     Trust God's purpose for your life. Seek His will in prayer and His Word. Let the light of the Bible and God's Holy Spirit illuminate your path today.

     Apply the Scripture: In what ways has God called light into your darkest days? How does knowing that Christ is the light of the world encourage you to look to Him when your world seems full of darkness? 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV): For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Serving Christ, Loving Others, and Growing Together,
Dr. Bryan Cox