Gen 1:2 “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” When we read this verse our modern minds are quick to picture an impersonal ethereal fog, the Spirit, floating over a dark and confused blob of water and rock. But what is really happening here is an amazing act of personal love. Interestingly enough Calvin translates this verse as “the Spirit cherished the waters.” In Deuteronomy 32 the same word is used to describe God as an eagle that broods, hovers, cherishes her young children. This is the Spirit of God actively loving this chaotic void. This is God displaying his character right from the start. In other words, when God sees something that’s out of order He doesn’t scoff and look away. No, he rushes in, and with love in His heart, He cleans up the mess. And He doesn’t begrudgingly put things in order, He does it with love. He did it with the earth we stand on, He did it when he re-created your heart, and He continues to do it everyday as we cry out to Him. Not only do we benefit from this work but we also have the privilege of reflecting God as we live day to day. When you as a father, walk into a messy house at the end of the day with a tired wife and crying babies, instead of being frustrated, it is an opportunity to brood upon your world with love as you put things in order. When you as a mother, are woken up for the third time in the night to wrestle a diaper onto an infant, it is an opportunity to love your child with the same love that was shown to you. As we all look around at the cultural confusion that surrounds us; sodomy, political chaos, bodily mutilation & envy; it is an opportunity to eagerly participate in the dance of creation as our God and Saviour makes all things new.
Jeremiah Jasso – June 2, 2024
