IN THE BEGINNING

Passage: Genesis 1:1-5

Key verse: 3

NIV

The Beginning

1 In the beginning(A) God created(B) the heavens(C) and the earth.(D) 2 Now the earth was formless(E) and empty,(F) darkness was over the surface of the deep,(G) and the Spirit of God(H) was hovering(I) over the waters.

3 And God said,(J) “Let there be light,” and there was light.(K) 4 God saw that the light was good,(L) and he separated the light from the darkness.(M) 5 God called(N) the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.”(O) And there was evening, and there was morning(P)—the first day.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Creation of the World

1 In the (A)beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was (B)without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, (C)“Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And 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, the first day.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The earth was formless, empty, and dark. Even then, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. God used words to create something out of nothing. With His word, God brought to the world light, life, beauty, and meaning into existence.

God said, “Let there be light.” God distinguished the light from darkness, day from night. With light came the first break of dawn. It was the dawn of something good and very bright.

Although we normally think of the start of our days in the morning, each day of creation starts with evening and ends with the morning. It reveals God who works to bring light and clarity from chaos and darkness. In the same way, our lives may be a reflection of God’s work. If things are dark and chaotic, we can trust in God’s creation power for light and hope at the end of the day.

Prayer: Father, may the light of your love and grace dawn in my life.

One Word: Let there be light.