ODJ: God’s First Words

January 5, 2018 

READ: Genesis 1:1-4 

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (v.3).

First words can be significant and transformative. The first words ever heard over a telephone were spoken by Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the new technology. On 10 March, 1876, Bell called his assistant, Thomas Watson, and said: “Mr. Watson, come here.” On 21 March, 2006, Jack Dorsey composed the very first words on Twitter, that ‘global water-cooler meeting place’ of news and culture. It was a succinct message: “Just setting up my twttr.”

These first words led to countless others as the ways people communicated were forever transformed. But they pale in comparison to the first words ever spoken in the history of the universe. Spoken by the living God, these words have set the stage for all of life since.

Into the “formless and empty” darkness, God transformed reality by His first recorded words, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:2-3). These words weren’t ‘empty’ (without result). They brought into existence what they expressed: “The Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born . . . . when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command” (Psalm 33:6,9). There was light. His first words produced immediate illumination, and He was pleased with what He saw (Genesis 1:4).

God’s first words were significant at creation, and they’re significant to us today. With each sunrise, it’s as if He’s restating the words let there be light. And every day, the Source of light conquers darkness afresh, giving us a brand new day. Our response to God’s life-changing words should be to proclaim His unceasing love, mercy and faithfulness to Him and to others (Lamentations 3:22-23).

—Marvin Williams

365-day plan: Genesis 7:1-24