goodness and light

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from darkness. Genesis 1:4 (NIV)

Throughout the description of the creation of everything (Genesis 1), the seemingly simple word 'good' is used to define God's thoughts toward His creation. There are two main connecting passages that I find beneficial to look at when trying to understand the term good: Psalm 104:31 and Psalm 119:68. These passages refer to God rejoicing in His works and the fact that God himself is good, respectively

When I first looked into this verse to find what it might tell me about God, I wrote:
'God has the power and the discretion and the authority to determine what is good.'
I still believe this sentence to be completely accurate. I would, however, like to go one step further. God is able to define what is good because He himself is the essence or embodiment of good. Because of this, I believe we can rightfully state that one of God's names (or primary attributes) is Goodness (or, more simply, Good).

What other names does God have? How do we know these to be true? Please share in the comments.

So, how do we define good? (other than stating that goodness is defined simply by God because he is the essence of good. That is called circular logic, and it is rarely a beneficial practice) Psalm 104:31 helps us a little in stating that which is good is something that causes God to rejoice. Looking at the Hebrew, it can be translated close to the word pleasant, as well. I believe an appropriate definition of good, then, is "any act, thought, or thing which is pleasing to God."

How can knowing that God is good be an influence in our lives? What truths can we state in knowing God's goodness?

First, we can state that, as God is good, He cannot be evil. Nothing that God desires or makes to happen can ever be with evil intentions, as that would be directly contrary to His nature.
We know that everything that happens will result ultimately in good, through God's plan. Even though you may often feel as if the world is falling apart around you, you can trust and rest in the knowledge of God's goodness, and that everything is ultimately leading toward His Plan.

How do you think the knowledge of God's goodness can impact your life? Please share in the comments!

turning on the lights

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Genesis 1:3 (NIV)

Repeatedly in Genesis 1, for each of the six days of creating, the Bible says "And God said, 'Let'" something happen, and then it came to be. It is interesting that, even as God has the power to create, He intentionally chooses to speak first and then have His power flow forth from His words. This is an incredible illustration for us. The words which God speaks have the power to bring forth absolutely anything -- creation, destruction, blessings, curses, healing of wounds, and even the transformation of a man's heart. And we have the privilege of daily access to God's words (the Bible!).

Reading the Bible is really something we should strive to do every day, even if it's just a handful of verses. Being in a relationship with God through prayer and meditation (or, if you don't like that term, simply sitting in silence, possibly marveling at God's creation, and intentionally waiting for God to speak into your heart) is also important. This is because we are not only opening our hearts to hear more of God's powerful words, we are acting on the words we have already heard about God and how He desires our relationship with Him to be above all.

So, how can we make certain God's words are powerfully affecting our lives and the lives of those around us?

1. intentionally read the Bible
   Set time aside from your busy schedule (be it once a week or every day) to read your Bible. Be intentional in not only reading the verses, but also asking God to help you understand and apply His words to your life.
   
   
2. pray to (and with) God
   There are several ways to characterize prayer. There is prayer to thank God, prayer of confession and repentance, prayer asking God to act (spiritually or physically), and prayer to praise God, primarily. As we speak to God in prayer, He wants to speak with us also. Prayer is like everyday conversations through the other relationships you hold, in that there is talking, watching and listening. All are important to maintain those relationships. Likewise, prayer is an important way to maintain and grow our relationship with God.
   (some good thoughts on prayer)
   
   
3. memorize scripture
   I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
   
   
4. be surrounded by believers
   This does not mean you cannot or should not be friends with unbelievers.
   God uses Christian communities in amazing ways. Every believer has different gifts from God, and God speaks to each believer in a unique and special way. By surrounding yourself with other believers, you are regularly allowing yourself to be washed by God's words and the wisdom He has given to those around you.
   Not to mention, they can remind you for when you have been neglecting your relationship with God.

I am certain there are many other ways to bring God's word into your life, and I would love to hear your thoughts. I would also love to hear how God's words have blessed you and grown you recently!

If you are having questions about how to pray in a way that is in relationship with God, this site has a few ideas that might help.

May God's word fill you and grow you more throughout the remainder of your days.

beginning with formlessness

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2 (NIV)

It's interesting to note that, despite the large number of commentaries on the Bible, Genesis 1:2 is rarely touched. And in those rare instances, I still found very little to help me understand what this really means. Therefore, it may be prudent to remember our quote from last week: the best we can do is still just a guess!

Sections of this verse, like most verses, have links to other parts of the Bible. Since I don't have the language knowledge to read and study the original Greek and Hebrew texts, and can only presume that these links mean the same original words are being used. Hopefully that will help us understand the definitions a little better!

Here are a few links:

• Now the earth was formless and empty
  Isaiah 23:1 - destroyed
  Isaiah 24:10 - desolate
  Isaiah 27:10 - desolate
  Isaiah 34:11 - chaos
  
  
• darkness was over the surface of the deep
  Job 26:8 - his clouds
  Job 38:9 - thick darkness
  Psalm 36:6 - great deep
  Proverbs 30:4 - his cloak
  
  
• and the Spirit of God
  Genesis 2:7 - the breath
  Job 33:4 - Spirit
  Psalm 104:30 - Spirit
  
  
• was hovering over the waters
  Deuteronomy 32:11 - hover over its young
  Isaiah 31:5 - hovering overhead

I encourage you to read these verses (in context, preferably) on your own, to better understand their meaning -- and from them gather a better understanding of Genesis 1:2. Please share what God is showing you!

The beginning of this verse can be a little difficult to understand. How is it that, at the very beginning of creation, the description can already be associated with the destruction of a city? What does it mean to have been created in a way that was already chaotic in that manner? I did a little research into the original text, and found one Hebrew word that might be helpful to look at: tohuw. Tohuw is the Hebrew word associated with formless, and can refer to formlessness, confusion, nothingness and chaos. One way of trying to understand this might be through visualizing a lump of clay. When you drop a lump of clay at your work station, it really can be described as nothing -- it's just a blob. It is when you pull and pinch and press and mold that it truly starts to take a form (or become less chaotic). That may be how God started with His creation: something essentially formless, adding detail as He went along.

In the hours I spent researching and trying to understand this verse (including looking into the original text), I can honestly say that it is still far beyond my comprehension. There are so many different ways of looking at what it might mean. Because of this, I believe the most important thing I have learned from this verse, right now, is that I will never fully understand the time-line of creation -- and I don't need to. Curiosity most certainly is wonderful thing (and I personally believe it is a reflection of God's love of the details of His creation), and knowledge and wisdom are incredible gifts from God, but trying to solve what our minds cannot comprehend should never lead to alienation, accusations or labeled separation between believers (like this commentary on old-earthers and evolutionists).

So, how can this help me grow as a believer? For me, the idea of not understanding is holding fast to my heart. I need to learn to view my life from God's perspective, remember how little I truly understand about this life and the immensity of God, and recognize that God can work through and provide wisdom to whomever He so chooses -- because that is really the only way anyone can come by wisdom.

How is it you can grow through these words God has shared with you? I would love to hear your thoughts -- please share in the comments!