READING: Genesis 1-3, Matthew 1
“See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us.’” Matt. 1:23
The Bible doesn’t explain His origin, because He has always been. What we learn about Him from the first chapters of the Scriptures is enough to make us kneel before Him in awe. He created the world out of nothing. He spoke, and things happened – light appeared, waters showed up, vegetation began, the sun and moon rose, and animals multiplied. He formed man in His image, “breathed the breath of life into his nostrils” (Gen. 2:7), and made him a helper named Eve. This God is so powerful that all of creation moves at His command.
He was not, though, distant from His creation. No, He loved the human beings so much that He walked among them, communicated with them, and provided them everything they needed. You’d think that they would in turn love Him and obey Him, wouldn’t you? But that’s not what they did. They listened to the voice of a rebel snake and made a choice that would cost them their life.
Now, they would need something else – a Redeemer.
In an act of incredible love, the God they scorned would make that provision, too. Rather than reject them, He came seeking them when they tried to hide from Him in the Garden. He gave them a skin covering of a slain animal, thus foreshadowing the Lamb He would provide in centuries to come. That Lamb would be Jesus, Immanuel, the One whose name means “God with us” (Matt. 1:23).
You see, God had a plan of grace from the beginning. He would send Jesus, His perfect Son born of a woman, to crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). God Himself would come to give us victory. How can we not praise Him as we start a new year?
ACTION STEPS:
- Consider this truth today: The Creator of the world is with you. Personally. Lovingly. Graciously.
- Whatever you face today, remember that you are not alone.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for who You are – my Creator and Redeemer. Empower me to live in victory this year.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Genesis 4-6, Matthew 2