Genesis 1:2-3 - The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
As God reigned over the darkness at creation, so He still reigns, hovering over the darkness that sin has brought into this world. The Word that God speaks over our chaotic world is nothing less than His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the eternal Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:1-5). Jesus Christ is God's Word of light sent into the chaos of our world.
Jesus died so that our corrupted human nature could be restored to holiness and purity. That's why St. Paul says, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). When you believe that, you start to trust the Bible when it tells you that there's a new day coming for you.
In fact, God in His goodness is moving everything toward a new day. The corrupted world of nature will also be set free from its bondage to sin. Paul writes in Romans: "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now" (Romans 8:19-22).
So, when you begin to doubt whether God really cares for you, then it's time for faith. Let the Word of Light, the Word that is Christ, be decisive in your life. God the Father gave so much for you. He gave His Son to restore your fallen nature to holiness in His sight. By Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, you can have full confidence that God cares for you and that over the darkness in your life—God still hovers. Let His Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, scatter your doubts and assure you that the Heavenly Father cares deeply for you.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, illumine our hearts and dispel our fears with the light of Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.
Taken from "Over The Darkness, God Hovers," a sermon by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever been out at sea in the dark? Where were you and what was that like?
2. What do think of when you read "the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters"?
3. Is there comfort in knowing that though life in this world can be chaotic God is still in charge?
Today's Bible Readings: Job 32-33 Matthew 14:1-21
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