Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.’” Genesis 1:20 (NKJV)

Confession: I’m a junkie for nature documentaries, especially when they focus on animals. If one happens to come on, I’ll often drop what I’m doing and allow myself to be drawn into the world of wildlife. From beneath the Antarctic ice to the dense canopies covering the Amazon, God’s creative capacity is on display.

God gets the credit, because in the creation account above, it was by His direct command that all water and air-born animal life was created. The passage goes on to elaborate: “So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ So the evening and the morning were the fifth day” (Genesis 1:21–23 NKJV).

It was God’s plan to fill the waters and the air with animal life. His reasons for doing this are many, but for our purpose, let’s trace one particular thread that connects this creative act to the character of its Creator.

It has been estimated that there are ten-thousand different types of birds on earth. Their variety ranges from a tiny hummingbird weighing less than a penny to an ostrich that can exceed 300 pounds. Their diversity is a true wonder.

Yet, sea life takes diversity to an entirely different depth. It’s estimated that the seas and oceans contain between 700,000 and one million different species! From pygmy seahorses measuring less than an inch, to the blue whale, the largest animal on earth at over 100 feet long, our waters contain an inventory of creatures we’re unable to fully catalog.

Now trace this thread back to the Creator. Doesn’t it testify to His incredible creativity and capacity for diversity? We sometimes fall under the false notion that God is boring. Nothing could be further from the truth! Look up into the skies, look down into the waters; you’ll see God’s infinite imagination showcased.

Sometimes we just need to stop and glory in this aspect of God’s nature. Right now, stop and allow yourself to be awed and drawn into His creative capacity, which is far above and beyond what we can envision or imagine.    

DIG: What happened on day five of creation?

DISCOVER: What does this reveal about God?

DO: Consider the best way to respond to God’s creative capacity.