This is My Father's World

DAILY READING

Genesis 1-2:4a

REFLECTION

What happens when God speaks?

by Elaine Pierce

Do you remember the old EF Hutton commercials? When EF Hutton talks, people listen?  You can watch lots of them on YouTube. 

Just by saying 'my broker is EF Hutton' was enough to completely silence the room.  Everyone leans forward with complete focus, anxious to hear the words of wisdom from EF Hutton.

I count ten times in the first chapter of Genesis alone that the phrase, "God said", is used.  And what happens when God speaks? He creates light. Water. Sky. Land. Trees and plants.  Stars. Sea creatures. Livestock. Wild Animals. And, his crowning creation, made in his image, men and women.  

And what does God say after each act of creation? God saw that it was good. Six times, God saw that it was good. After he created men and women, God saw that it was very good.  And, on the seventh day, he rested.  

This account of creation is not concerned about how God created the world. But the Bible is very clear that God is the Creator. God said it, and it was so. I don't have to tell you that there is much controversy over how the world started. I will leave those arguments to others. What I do know is that God had a plan, a plan for a good creation. I claim this verse in Hebrews 11:3 as truth:

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

EF Hutton made memorable commercials, but honestly, folks, we know that the room didn't stop talking when he spoke. We do know, however, that when God speaks, it is so. God created a wonderful world, and he gave humankind the responsibility to rule this world justly and fairly. As we all know, this beautiful Eden didn't last long.  We chose to follow our own way rather than listen to God. But each day dawns anew. Let's thank God for his creation, and listen carefully when he speaks.

I close with this beautiful hymn, This is My Father's World. Enjoy the music and the words, and ask God to show you how to love his creation.