Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

The Book of Genesis describes the origins of God’s people. Chapters 1–11 describe the way God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. They display the power of God in creation, the wrath of God against sin, and the compassion of God for His people. They also show God’s incredible, intricate, detailed plan for humanity. 

God planned to bring humanity into the world, knowing they would rebel against Him. Even from the beginning, God planned and orchestrated our redemption. He established a family and then a nation who would be His representatives in the world. Genesis 1–11 introduces this family, the family of Abram, and foreshadows God’s redemptive plan. 

The themes in Genesis 1–11 allow us to wrestle with the character of God. Sometimes, God did things we didn’t understand. Sometimes, God did exactly what we hoped He would do. Sometimes, God went above and beyond to shower His people with grace and mercy. God works the same way in our lives today. We are able to come to Him with our questions, ask Him for forgiveness, seek His compassion, and rest in His love. 

God saw the earth before it was formed. God saw the family of Abram, the ancestor of the Messiah, before He had created a single human. God sees us in our lives today. He knows the intimate details of who we are and what we need. He has ordained all of our days, the places and times where we live, and what we would think and do before one of them came to be. We can trust a God like that. We can rest in His character and His promises even when we are overwhelmed with questions. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in faithful love. 

Prayer:

Lord God, I am amazed at Your works. I am amazed at Your power, Your compassion, Your love, and Your justice. Help me trust You when I do not understand Your actions. Help me believe You when my world seems to fall apart. Help me rest in Your presence. You have ordained all my days. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.