Thought For The Week

Before we even get to “In the beginning,” we need to meet the One who begins it all. Scripture reveals God as eternal, self-existent, unbound by time or space. When Moses asked His name, God answered, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). In Hebrew, it’s YHWH—“I exist.” No origin story, no dependencies—just pure, eternal being. He’s a spirit, transcending the physical world, the source of everything we know and everything we can’t yet see.

Then comes Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Right there, in those opening words, we glimpse the Trinity at work. God the Father wills it. Jesus, the Word, speaks it into being. The Holy Spirit hovers over the waters, shaping what’s to come. On day one, they don’t just create the physical cosmos—earth, space, water—they also craft a spiritual realm, the “heaven of heavens,” home to the angels. Two domains, distinct yet linked, all born from the same divine breath.

Picture this: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). The earth starts as a formless, water-soaked sphere, cloaked in darkness. The Spirit of God hovers, ready to act. Then God says, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3)—and light breaks through. Not the sun—that’s day four—but a divine light, piercing the shadows. He separates it from darkness, names them “day” and “night,” and sets the earth spinning, marking the first evening and morning.

But day one isn’t just about light. It’s the birth of the physical universe—space itself, vast and dark. It’s the earth’s core, its foundation laid (Job 38:4). It’s the waters covering its surface. And it’s the spiritual realm, complete with angels singing as they watch it all unfold (Job 38:7). Day one is a cosmic kickoff, a moment when everything—seen and unseen—springs into existence.

Here’s where it gets intriguing: darkness isn’t an accident. God creates it (Isaiah 45:7). Before the physical universe, there’s no darkness—just God’s radiant light in the spiritual realm. But when He forms the cosmos, darkness emerges, a vast backdrop to the stars. Why? Because this physical world is where we live, where we’re called to walk by faith, not sight.

Think about it: angels in the heaven of heavens see God face-to-face, bathed in His glory. But for us, God veils His full light, giving us just enough—His own on day one, the sun later—to trust Him.

That’s the beauty of it: faith opens the door to salvation, a gift unique to us humans. Darkness, then, isn’t emptiness—it’s a space where faith can grow.

So, what’s the full picture of day one? It’s a stunning list:

This isn’t a one-note story. It’s a symphony of creation, revealing a God of power and purpose.

That first light? It’s not solar—it’s supernatural. The sun comes on day four, but on day one, God Himself is the source. “God is light,” says 1 John 1:5, “and in Him is no darkness at all.” Revelation 22:5 promises a future where He’ll be our light forever, no sun needed. On day one, His light shines directionally, illuminating half the spinning earth while the other rests in shadow—a preview of His eternal glow.

So, why should day one stir your soul? Because it reveals a God who’s eternal, who creates with intention, who holds both the physical and spiritual in His hands. The darkness and light of this world remind us we’re made for faith—trusting the One who spoke it all into being. The angels’ song points us to a reality beyond, a destiny where we’ll see Him clearly.

This God who began it all invites you to know Him—not by sight, not yet, but through His Word, through the wonders of His creation. He calls day one “good,” a foundation for all that follows, a promise He’s still at work in your life.

What strikes you most about day one? The vastness of God’s creation? The interplay of darkness and light? The call to faith? And if this stirs something in you, lean into it. Trust the Creator who started it all. He’s not done with you yet.

Until next time, let’s marvel at His beginnings—and ours.