The ladies of my church have started a new Bible study called, "Praying the Names of God" by Ann Spangler. The first Name we were given was "Elohim," God, Mighty Creator. He was the One who began it all, made something out of nothing, gave us and everything around us life.
As I was reading this weeks chapter I unwrapped a new aspect to God and His relationship to me and to creation. The Scripture this is based on is Genesis 1:1-10, 31. I read through the Scriptures and noticed how methodical God was. In fact one of the questions we had to answer was, "What can you observe about who God is from this passage about beginnings?
Look at the Scripture. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
Everything was done in an orderly, methodical fashion. Each step built upon the previous step. I got this silly picture in my head of God making things out of order. Pretend with me for a minute, that God made man first, then the animals and trees. He would have had to have them floating out in space waiting for a spot to put them. LOL. That's so illogical! And our Lord is logical and organized.
Now, let's look at our lives. So often they seem chaotic. Timing and events don't seem to make sense to us. But God does not see it that way at all. The same God, Elohim, that made the universe which such care and precision has made us the same way. And He has ordered our lives in a way that makes perfect and complete sense to Him. Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Nothing in our lives is accidental or in disorder. It's like God has a "to do" list written out in exactly the right order with the exactly right things, events, people, circumstances that will bring us to the beautiful plan He has for our lives that bring glory to His Name and build His kingdom. Even our gifts and talents were meant for us to use in a certain way, a certain place to build and work withing the body of Christ.
Romans 12:4-13 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Our Father is methodical! Even our salvation was planned out and precisely timed. Romans 5:6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. What an amazing God we serve!
What peace! What comfort! What security and rest! Our God is not the author of chaos but of order and that includes us. And don't forget to note, when God looked at His creation, (including us!) He thought it was very good.
Thank You Lord for showing me this new aspect of Who You are. It's a place we can rest in even through the darkest and most difficult circumstances. You hold us. You work in us and through us to complete Your work and plans for us and for Your kingdom. Thank You! I praise You this day for Who You are! In the Name of our Mighty Savior, Jesus Christ.
Celebrate our God!
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