The start of a new year always begins with wonder, excitement, expectation of the days ahead, and questions. The questions are numerous, especially after the likes of 2020.
Will the new year be a repeat of the old year?
Will we finally get passed the pandemic which turned life on its heels?
Will we return to life as normal?
What new adventures would the days ahead hold for all of us?
They are all valid questions, perhaps you are even asking the very same ones. This new year seemed like the perfect time to once again read through the Bible.
Opening the pages of a new Bible, I began to read about the beginning from the beginning, and the words fell fresh and applicable to the start of the new year and the challenges we all yet face.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep …” (Genesis 1:1-2a, NASB)
It was in the beginning of all we see, know and understand that God began creation. We are told the earth was formless and void, darkness was over it all. Let’s continue …
“… and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters …” (verse 2b)
It was in the midst of the void and the darkness that the Spirit of God was moving. Moving, a verb, indicates a motion or an activity. God was “actuating, instigating, or impelling” (dictionary.com), provoking something to occur.
“Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.“ (verse 3)
Into the void, the very darkness which had settled over the earth, God commands light to appear.
Advent readings still fresh in my mind cause me to remember the darkness into which Christ Jesus was born. Jesus, the Word, was with God in the beginning. “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (John 1:4, NASB). But the Light did something specific …
“The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light,
and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.”
(Matthew 4:16, NASB)
As we embark on this new year, we may feel like we are sitting in darkness, with nothing changing or moving forward. May we rest assured, God is at work, He is hovering over us and moving in our lives and situations.
It is in the darkness our God shines the Light.
It is upon us, His people, a Light has dawned.
And His Name is Jesus.
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This is one of the most spiritually dark times I have ever seen in our nation. I pray people’s eyes will be open and their hearts drawn to the light of the world, Jesus.
It’s my prayer every day – “Lord, may Your Light shine brighter today!”
I have the melody from Handel’s Messiah running through my brain now, words of hope about our “Great Light.”
Had to pull it up and am listening now. What a great reminder!
What a good idea to begin Bible reading at the start of the New Year. I am currently reading through Mark right now. I should have thought about timing a little bit better! 🙂 So many verses about light in the Bible. Here is one of my favorites from John – especially relevant at this time in our country: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. “
Laurie, that is another wonderful verse to remember – His Light will never be overcome!
This (As we embark on this new year, we may feel like we are sitting in darkness, with nothing changing or moving forward. May we rest assured, God is at work, He is hovering over us and moving in our lives and situations.) is exactly what I needed today.
Lauren, I am so glad you were encouraged here. May we keep trusting God in our lives and situations, for He is faithful.
Beautiful, Joanne. Especially this: “May we rest assured, God is at work, He is hovering over us and moving in our lives and situations.” I also started reading through the Bible again this month (after spending a whole lot of time last year in the Psalms). I am using a different Bible and I’m excited to see where God will shine His light as I read each book.
A different Bible sheds light on so many varied truths to hold onto! May you continue to be blessed as you read His Word!
God is at work. What comfort that is!
No matter what it looks like, we need to remember God is always at work.