10 Minute Read

Be Still

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Today’s Bible Reading:

Jeremiah 2:31–4:18
Colossians 1:1-17
Psalm 76:1-12
Proverbs 24:21-22

Listen to the Lord

Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Colossians 1:16 (NLT): “for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”

Reflections from Scripture:

I’m going to play with your mind for a few minutes. I’m going to get you to think about something you may have never considered.

In no way would I ever desire to lead you astray. I simply want you to reflect on a truth that may have been misunderstood.

So, here is the question:

How did God create everything in the universe?

That’s not a trick question. It’s straightforward. But since you may be wondering where I’m going with this, you might not have answered the question in your mind yet. So, go ahead and answer it: How did God create everything in the universe?

Your mind probably ventured back to Genesis 1 when you answered: “God spoke everything into existence.”

Now, let’s ask another question: What does it mean that ‘God spoke’? Does it mean that He said words in some Heavenly language? And, by the way, who was He speaking to? And if neither the angelic host nor the people of earth were yet created, why did He need to say anything at all? Why not simply create things quietly without saying unnecessary words?

So, have I got your mind swirling yet?

Without making this blog post too long, let me take you to a few passages of Scripture.

First, let’s make our way back to Genesis 1, where we realize that God wasn’t alone when He created everything in 6 days. He was enjoying a relationship within the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit) from all of eternity. Notice the pronouns “us” and “our.”

Genesis 1:26 (NLT): “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us…’”

Further, we realize that the Holy Spirit was clearly present during the creation of all things.

Genesis 1:2 (NLT): “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”

So, now we know who God was talking to. He was communing with Himself in the Trinity.

But strangely absent from the Genesis account of creation is the second person of the Trinity, Jesus (God the Son).

That’s where Colossians 1:16 comes in. We realize that while God was “speaking” and the Holy Spirit was hovering, Jesus was actually the one doing the work. Pay careful attention as you read it.

Colossians 1:16 (NLT): “for through him (“him” refers to Jesus) God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”

So, if we only looked at Genesis 1 and we ask, “How did God create everything?” we would say that God spoke it into existence.

But, if we only had Colossians 1 and we ask, “How did God create everything?” we would say that God used Jesus to create it.

So, here’s the question that comes to mind: “Did God use words or Jesus to create all things? Did God actually speak or is ‘speaking’ picturesque language to tell us that Jesus did the work?”

That’s where John 1 comes to the rescue with our answer! Jesus was the worker in Creation! He is also the Word!

John 1:1-3, 14 (NLT): “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him… So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Did you get that? Jesus is the very Word of God.

Just as a word allows us to understand another person’s thoughts as we get to know them, so Jesus allows us to understand God’s thoughts and allows us to get to know Him.

Therefore, when we go back to Genesis 1, I think we see Jesus every time it says, “Then God said…” 

Maybe God said actual words. And, then again, maybe that was just a picturesque way of saying that God sent Jesus to work, as the Word of God, to create all things.

Spend Time in Prayer

Lord Jesus, just when I think I know all about You, I realize that there is so much more to discover. I am coming to understand how the Apostle Paul, who wrote theological letters to the churches about you, still continued to say, “That I may know Him!” Lord Jesus, I want to know You. I want to know You accurately as You are made known in my Bible. But I really want to experience You and enjoy You in each of the moments of my life. Help me to satisfy myself in You. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.

Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Photo by ActionVance on Unsplash
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