John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people.
- Reflect On: John 1:1-4
- Praise God: For His all-powerful Word.
- Offer Thanks: For Christ’s words to you.
- Confess: Any lack of faith in the Word of God.
- Ask God: To increase your love of Scripture.
Much as I love words, I also know that human words, in addition to being beautiful, can also be deceptive, treacherous, and empty. We can talk a blue streak without saying a single thing. By contrast, God’s Word is “living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart’ (Hebrews 4;12). God’s Word has the power not just to communicate His purpose but to accomplish whatever He intends. It never returns to Him empty. When God speaks, things happen. Read the first page of Genesis if you doubt it:
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gather to one place, and let the dry ground appear.” And it was so.
God said, “Let the land produce vegetation.” And it was so.
The world was created by God speaking it into existence. Jesus, the Word of God, … was thus present at the world’s beginning. But the perfect world that God created was soon corrupted through sin. Jesus came to earth to recreate the world, restoring it to God’s original purpose. Miracles happened when He spoke. Storms ceased, the lame walked, people were delivered from demons, and the dead were raised. These were signs that a world deformed by sin was being reshaped by God’s all-powerful Word. Listen to the record of the gospels:
Jesus said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the winds died down and it was completely calm.
Jesus said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man got up and went home.
Jesus rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out.
Jesus is still speaking, still reshaping the world, one person at a time. As His followers, we need to study and pray over His words. We need to listen carefully and expectantly for His voice. Try spending ten to fifteen minutes today meditating on John 1:1-4 and Genesis 1:1-5. May God’s Spirit nourish your mind and heart as you listen for the voice of the Lord.
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