Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God…”
It’s been days already since we entered 2025, and yet a lot has happened already, making some feel like
January is moving five times faster than normal. This can be either good or bad, but mostly it’s steady,
except for the unfortunate events that happened to others.
Different people in different places have already experienced so much that it’s worth taking a moment
to pause and reflect before diving into another round of unknown events. This is actually what we
should have done before embarking the new year.
When the new generation of Israelites was about to enter the promised land, Moses was completing the
Torah. He begins with Genesis 1:1 saying “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It
was a wonderful start for a document that the Israelites needed to know and carry. Moses did not try to
assert or proved God’s existence. He simply stated that, in the beginning, God was there, implying that
before everything, God is. Before any measure of time like “In the beginning”, God existed, as He was
the One who created. The measure of time was for creation’s starting existence, not God’s. Why is this
important?
The Israelites were about to enter the promised land, but it was mostly foreign to them. They would be
introduced to different kinds of gods and practices that could influence them negatively. Their lives
could even be at risk, as they didn’t not know their enemies’ background. What would strengthen and
encourage them to pursue? It was in knowing who the Israelites’ God is, including His power and
authority. That everything existed after God is inferior, because God is the source and origin of
everything. He is the only God and the other gods presented were all figments of sinful nation’s
imaginations. The God of Israel who created the heavens and the earth, where all creation bows down,
owns them. And if He owns them then He surely will take care of them.
This is reflected in the Apostle’s Creed as we continue to look at it: “I believe in God, the Father
almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”
It is important to believe this because we want to declare who is in control of everything, to what extent
His power reaches, and to realize how much comfort to have this God take care of us, especially in
unknown and unforeseen moments of our lives. Of course, we understand the finiteness of our minds
can cause us to doubt many times. But as we move forward, may we never lose sight of the powerful
Almighty Being who has been there from the very beginning, and who is powerful enough to create all
the incredible complexities of life, which reflects nothing but His nature and character. Like the
Israelites, this new year, we are called to hold on to the only true God, trusting in His sovereign work
and will, no matter what comes our way. May we find comfort in knowing that the God who created
everything, placing everything and everyone under His feet, is the same God who personally saved us
and extends His help to anyone who calls on His name.
