Daily Bible Reading – November 2023, God’s Saving Word: Praise and ThanksgivingSample

November 1

Introduction

Genesis 1:1—2:4a: The name “Genesis” means “origin” and comes from a Greek word meaning “beginning.” Today’s reading describes the creation of the universe and the origin of human beings. Out of desolation and darkness God creates the world in six days and rests on the seventh day.

Today’s Key Verse: Genesis 1:31a

God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased.

Reflect

In this opening chapter of the Bible, we read how God’s speaking is connected to God’s creative activity. Verses 6 and 9 in Psalm 33 say, “The LORD created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.… When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.” This word-deed connection (“God/he said/commanded”) occurs ten times in Genesis 1 (verses 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, *29). Reread each of these verses and identify what God created or what God commanded. Verses 26-29 pertain to the creation of humankind and the call for humankind to participate in God’s creative activity. How do these verses speak to you? What does being created to be like God (verse 27) mean to you?

[*In verse 29 in the Good News Translation, the words “God commanded” or “God said” are implied; in other translations, such as the King James Version and the New International Version, the words are explicitly stated.]

Pray

Heavenly Creator, your Spirit moved over the waters, and your spoken word brought creation into being. You were pleased with everything you made. Lord God, I thank and praise you for the beautiful world you created for my earthly home. Teach me to care for all of creation. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Genesis 2:4b–25: A second account of creation.

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