Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 SING TO THE LORD

 Genesis 1:1-15

V. 2 “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”
 

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was formless and void, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. One thing we learn about God is that God works with that which already exists and seeks to bring life out of it. God takes the chaos and messiness that already is and desires to create out it. God’s Spirit in the Bible is identified with the Hebrew word Ruach, which can also mean breath. Ruach can give life to the lifeless and bring renewed life to those who have no hope. The Spirit of God is at work in creation.

In Genesis 1: 1-2, we see it is the Spirit of God as the breath or wind of God, blowing over the waters of the newly created earth. We see the same spirit as the breath/wind of God, blowing life into newly created man. In Acts 2, The association of the sound of a rushing mighty wind fills the whole house. Here, the sound from heaven was the sound of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the disciples. Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit rested on God’s people more as a nation, that is, Israel. But under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit rests upon God’s people as individuals – the tongues of fire sat upon each of them, this was to emphasize that the Spirit of God was present upon each individual.

The account in Acts 2 further reminds us we can do nothing to initiate or replicate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit who fills and enables us to do His work. The filling of the Holy Spirit Is a Gift from God, not something Jesus’ disciples worked all night to achieve. Second, the Holy Spirit is given as all of them are gathered in one place. The Community of Faith received this Gift together, suggesting the Gift of the Holy Spirit is not meant for individual activity alone

God’s creation is robust and its existence secure. God does not need help from anyone or anything to create or maintain the world. No battle with the forces of chaos threatens to undo the creation. Later, when God chooses to share creative responsibility with human beings, we know this is God’s choice, not a necessity. Whatever people may do to mar the creation or render the earth unfit for life’s fullness, God has infinitely greater power to redeem and restore.

In Scripture, we see that music is used for glorifying and worshiping God, telling of his great deeds, offering outlets for both lament and praise and providing unity to God’s people. We also see that an appreciation of the songs recorded in the Bible provides a fuller understanding of a greater story. In addition to all the songs in the book of Psalms, there are also many other songs and references to singing tucked away in God’s Word. Many of those passages comfort and encourage us. But, most of all, they point us to the one true God, our Creator, and Redeemer, who has a plan for our lives.


Prayer

Lord Jesus, creator, and sustainer of all, fill the voids of our hearts with the presence of your Holy Spirit.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well. Psalms 139:14


Mr. Anish Thomas
The Mar Thoma Church of Greater Washington

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