“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Genesis 1:1-5 NIV
“And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:1-2 NIV
God who speaks to us,
A Bible teacher brought my attention to the fact that in Genesis one You spoke 10 times. And creation happened. Then in Exodus You spoke 10 commandments or ways to live as You intended. Both exact. It would be good just to look and see the order You created out of chaos and then the order of behaviour next to them!
First You started creation with light. You are light in all senses, understanding, revelation, healing, truth, righteousness . . . And the created light was not the planets they came later on day four (Genesis 1:14-19). First it was just You breaking open creation.
No other Gods but me. It is a statement of intent. There are no addendum no exception clauses and no elements of consideration. It is as black and white as the beginning of creation. And You had spent a lot of time speaking to Your people, rescuing them from Egypt and providing for them and revealing Yourself as the only God through the many plagues. Even death passing over their homes before their Egyptian neighbours gave them gold and gifts to leave with.
With light and revelation comes responsibility. I have struggled with the line of a hymn which says, “The reason I live is to worship You”. I may be considering whether my life is worship but one thing I am sure of You are God, more than that You are My God. Nothing, no-one else can take Your place. Thank You for creation light, the light of Your glory and that You are the only God and so, so good.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God who speaks to us,
We pray:
For family, friends, neighbours, our church family. Those living in our neighbourhood.
For our town, our local council and the health of our surrounding area.
For Gaza and the Middle East and a way to safe ground, peace and away from extremism.
For Putin and His driving forces and the end of war in Ukraine.
For help, relief and comfort for those hit by the earthquakes in Afghanistan, and for those in the devastated areas in Libya and Morocco. For the stretched aid and medical agencies.
For our world, for solutions to pollution, rubbish and the things we do that harm it.
For ourselves, for the sure and certain knowledge of Your love and leading, with thanks.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 17th October 2023
When I look into Your holiness
When I gaze into Your loveliness
When all things that surround become shadows
In the light of You
When I’ve found the joy of reaching Your heart
When my will becomes enthroned in Your love
When all things that surround become shadows
In the light of You
I worship You I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You
I worship You, I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You
Lyrcis; Wayne & Cathy Perrin