January 1, 2022 — Genesis  1:1 – 3:24 

“God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. God spoke: “Light!” And light appeared. God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning—Day One. God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!”  God made sky. He separated the water under sky from the water above sky. And there it was: he named sky the Heavens; It was evening, it was morning—Day Two.” Genesis 1:2-8 (The Message)

The bible begins with a testimony to the universal activity of G-d. G-d’s actions in the world are what remain most important and yet often most difficult for us to understand—because no matter how much we search and search, our human knowledge of what G-d has done will always pale in comparison. Human beings in all times and places have experienced G-d’s creative acts prior to and alongside of G-d’s redemptive acts. G-d is G-d and freely brings into being that which is not G-d, yet G-d is a part of everything—that is the mystery. All creatures depend on the Creator for their existence and continuing life. With the introduction of sin, we must ask the age-old questions: “What is Sin? Why is there so much Sin in the world?”  The primary sin may be best defined as mistrust of G-d and the word of G-d.

From the very beginning there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was without form and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. And then, by the Grace of G-d all things come into being. What was true for all of creation is true for you and me—for in like manner the work of G-d’s Grace in our lives makes us new creations. The Word was with G-d and the Word was G-d in the beginning – at creation. The Word, Jesus Christ, and his life saving work is our greatest gift of Grace. Without grace in our lives, we are more susceptible to disorder, confusion, sin and evil winning out in our lives.  

Let us begin the new year with re-affirming our faith and trust in G-d who can and will raise us above sin and death and give us new life.

Let us pray,

Lord, give me your Grace, your love, and the communion of your Holy Spirit this New Year, and throughout my life. Amen.

Pastor Dave