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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

Text: Genesis 1:1

A MOST SIGNIFICANT WAY OF INTRODUCING GOD

How would you share your faith in God with a person? Where do you start? The author of the book of Genesis, traditionally accepted as Moses, had no difficulty at all. Using the simplest of language, yet not diminishing profound faith and theology, the author began his writing from the most relevant standpoint of all – CREATION!

MODERN DAY BIBLE CRITICS

The idea of God as Creator did not pose a problem to many, for millennia. It was only in the last few centuries, with the tremendous acceleration of knowledge in many fields, that the idea of a Creator-God began to be seriously questioned and then doubted. Mercilessly, Bible critics worked at chipping away more than just the doctrine of God as the Creator. The very Scriptures themselves were called into question. Many disturbing questions were raised. Were the Scriptures reliable? Should they not be interpreted as mere literary documents of bygone days and not terribly relevant today? Those who believed in them were taken to task and ridiculed! It seems as if modern man, so full of himself, believes that he can even reason God out of the picture!

The story is told of an arrogant scientist who challenged God concerning the creation of man. He boasted, “Anything You can do, in the name of science, I can do as well. Why, I also can create man.” God looked at the challenger but said very little. The scientist went on to challenge God to a Creation Contest. God began to make a man out of the dust. As the scientist proceeded to replicate the deed, God said, “Stop! Make your own dust!”


READING THE SCRIPTURES WITH EYES OF FAITH

How should we read the account of creation recorded in Genesis 1-2? Let us consider this key text from the Book of Hebrews. It will serve as our guiding light.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen…
BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND that the worlds
were framed by the word of God, so that the things
which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

HEBREWS 11:1, 3

The Scriptures were not written as a scientific treatise, and therefore it is unfair and wrong to attempt to shred it and discredit it by appealing to science (Not all scientists are atheists)! The Genesis account of creation was written to posit a vital theological truth by way of introducing the Being of God!

Through eyes of faith (and science too) many continue to enjoy this wondrous truth of God as Creator! Genuine faith is not perturbed, let alone destroyed by the doubts of critics. The Scriptures were written as great theological treatises. The teachings contained therein may not be stated in modern day scientific language, nevertheless they express deep truths of the greatest significance! Is full appreciation of the Scriptures possible? Undoubtedly! “By faith we understand!”