“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1) is the most radical statement ever made.

I don’t mean to sound pessimistic but it just seems some days like the world is so untouched by God’s goodness. It seems like any kind of goodness which makes the news in its essence makes it rare. When I read the book of Genesis I see God look over his finished work and say “this is good, very good.” “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1). Satan does not own anything in this world. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Tim 4:4-5).

This is not to say that God has left some scant details about himself like a billion piece puzzle leaving us that were trying to figure things out although for some people it may seem that way. But God is evident. He is seen. When you read a very familiar passage such as Psalm 19 case such a wonderful display of God, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Ps 19:1-3). Creation can be seen bursting with song, loud, bright clear and powerful.

Clearly, it means there is a God. God confronts us face to face, challenges, dares and even threatens people with his existence. Even more drastic, it means that you and I cannot escape God, “You are all around me-in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.” (Psalm 139:5GW). If you don’t want him around-he’s there anyway-he’s not going anywhere. He is always there and always will be there for all our lives and when we are dead and gone.  God will always be God. You are eventually going to have to confront the whole “God” issue, now or later.

“First, God. God is the subject of life. God is foundational for living. If we do not get the sense of the primacy of God, we will never get it right, get life right, get our lives right. Not God at the margins; not God as an option, not God on the weekends. God at the center and circumference; God first and last. God, God, God.” –The Old Testament Books of Moses © 2001 by Eugene H. Peterson.

Genesis is God giving our lives significance and meaning. God made the world where everything and everyone is created with an intention and design. He does not work impersonally from space, but he is in operation in the here and now. No matter how good or bad anyone is, we continue to be a part of his project-the Adam Project so there is no place to drop out.”

©2016 Stephen S. Gibney, don’t plagiarize-give us the credit and God the glory.