IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Wonders of Creation

Date: Jan. 3, 2025

Passage

Genesis 1:6-25

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9 And 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 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Genesis 1:12

The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

These passages describe God who created the world and everything in it: The sky (day 2), land, sea, and vegetation (day 3), the solar system (day 4), the birds and fish (day 5), and finally all the creatures of the land (day 6).

As a civilization we have marveled at God’s creation. Scientists have studied the farthest reaches of space and examined the tiniest of atoms. Artists have written or portrayed the beauty and wonder of nature. We still stand in awe at the beauty, order, and depth of nature. The Apostle Paul wrote that God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature are revealed in creation (Rom 1:20). And the Psalmist wrote “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps 19:1).

While the Bible itself is not a science book, all of our studies of the world come from a place of wonder and awe in his creation. In the midst of our struggles, we can come to God by just looking up to the stars or opening our eyes to nature as we take a walk in the park. Suddenly our problems don’t seem so huge. Somehow, the God who holds the universe together, can hold us in his grace and power.

Prayer: Creator God, you hold the depth and beauty of nature in your mind. We seek you in awe, wonder, and joy.

One Word: Experience the glory of God in nature.

Daily Bread

Worship God by Listening to Him

Psalm 81:1-16

Key Verse: 81:8

Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!

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