Discover God's Good Creation: Finding Wonder in the World Around You
Adapted from: Who Put Everything Together? by Sam Holm
Ever picked up a fall leaf and felt your breath catch at its intricate beauty? That moment of awe isn't accidental—it's an invitation to worship.
Genesis 1 opens with one of the most profound statements in human history: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." But this isn't just ancient history or a scientific textbook. It's a hymn of praise, a declaration that everything around you—from the seven octillion atoms in your body to the vibrant colors of autumn—came from the hand of an all-powerful, creative God.
The All-Powerful God Created Everything Good
The Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1 is *Elohim*—a plural form that intensifies the meaning. It's like saying the "all, all, all-powerful" God. This wasn't random chance or cosmic accident. God spoke, and light appeared. He commanded, and seas separated from land. With divine intentionality, He formed environments and then filled them with life.
And here's the refrain that echoes throughout Genesis 1: "God saw that it was good." Seven times this phrase appears. Good. Good. Good. The repetition isn't accidental—it's emphasis. God didn't create a flawed world. He crafted something beautiful, orderly, and pleasurable.
Think about a puzzle. You can't throw puzzle pieces in the air and expect them to land perfectly connected. Someone has to put them together. God didn't just assemble existing pieces—He created them from nothing and arranged them with purpose. The word "created" in Genesis 1 is used exclusively for God's work. Humans can be creative, but only God creates from nothing.
Genesis and Science: Not Enemies, But Partners
Genesis 1 doesn't conflict with science—it sets the stage for it. God ordered the universe with cause and effect, then placed humans in it with the mandate to have dominion, which includes understanding how it works. Adam and Eve were the first scientists.
The point of Genesis 1 isn't to answer every question about dinosaurs or the age of the earth. The ancient Israelites weren't asking those questions. They were asking: Did the sun and moon create the world, as Egypt taught? God's answer: No, I created them on day four. They're not gods—they're part of My good creation.
Whether you hold to a young earth or old earth view, the essential truth remains: the all-powerful God created all things, and all things God created were good. Don't let debates about interpretation distract you from the main point Scripture is making.
When Good Creation Meets Broken Reality
So why does the world look broken now? If God made everything good, why do we experience pain, suffering, and evil?
Genesis 1 sets the stage, but the story continues. God didn't create us as robots. He gave humanity genuine choice, and we chose rebellion. Sin entered through deception, and every person since (except Jesus) has contributed to the brokenness. The pain you see isn't because God made it that way—it's because we walked away from His design.
But here's the hope: the God who created a good world is also the God who redeems it. A God who not only creates but *recreates* is even more glorious. Revelation promises He'll wipe away every tear and restore all things. The story isn't over.
Worship Through Wonder
Genesis 1 isn't just history—it's a hymn inviting you to worship. A.W. Tozer said, "What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Every created thing around you is an opportunity to think rightly about God.
When you see a sunset, intricate leaf veins, or a child's laughter, you're witnessing God's goodness. Creation itself wants to worship—Jesus said if people stayed silent, the rocks would cry out. Will you join creation's chorus?
When you encounter something beautiful in creation, you have a choice: either think about how you can use it for yourself, or let it point you to the goodness of the Creator. One leads to consumption; the other leads to worship.
Your Next Step
This week, practice seeing creation as worship fuel. Take a walk and notice five specific things God made. Thank Him for each one. Let the beauty around you draw your heart toward the Creator who called it all "good."
When you encounter brokenness, remember: this isn't how God made it, and it's not how the story ends. He's in the business of redemption, and one day, all things will be made good again.
Ever picked up a fall leaf and felt your breath catch at its intricate beauty? That moment of awe isn't accidental—it's an invitation to worship.
Genesis 1 opens with one of the most profound statements in human history: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." But this isn't just ancient history or a scientific textbook. It's a hymn of praise, a declaration that everything around you—from the seven octillion atoms in your body to the vibrant colors of autumn—came from the hand of an all-powerful, creative God.
The All-Powerful God Created Everything Good
The Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1 is *Elohim*—a plural form that intensifies the meaning. It's like saying the "all, all, all-powerful" God. This wasn't random chance or cosmic accident. God spoke, and light appeared. He commanded, and seas separated from land. With divine intentionality, He formed environments and then filled them with life.
And here's the refrain that echoes throughout Genesis 1: "God saw that it was good." Seven times this phrase appears. Good. Good. Good. The repetition isn't accidental—it's emphasis. God didn't create a flawed world. He crafted something beautiful, orderly, and pleasurable.
Think about a puzzle. You can't throw puzzle pieces in the air and expect them to land perfectly connected. Someone has to put them together. God didn't just assemble existing pieces—He created them from nothing and arranged them with purpose. The word "created" in Genesis 1 is used exclusively for God's work. Humans can be creative, but only God creates from nothing.
Genesis and Science: Not Enemies, But Partners
Genesis 1 doesn't conflict with science—it sets the stage for it. God ordered the universe with cause and effect, then placed humans in it with the mandate to have dominion, which includes understanding how it works. Adam and Eve were the first scientists.
The point of Genesis 1 isn't to answer every question about dinosaurs or the age of the earth. The ancient Israelites weren't asking those questions. They were asking: Did the sun and moon create the world, as Egypt taught? God's answer: No, I created them on day four. They're not gods—they're part of My good creation.
Whether you hold to a young earth or old earth view, the essential truth remains: the all-powerful God created all things, and all things God created were good. Don't let debates about interpretation distract you from the main point Scripture is making.
When Good Creation Meets Broken Reality
So why does the world look broken now? If God made everything good, why do we experience pain, suffering, and evil?
Genesis 1 sets the stage, but the story continues. God didn't create us as robots. He gave humanity genuine choice, and we chose rebellion. Sin entered through deception, and every person since (except Jesus) has contributed to the brokenness. The pain you see isn't because God made it that way—it's because we walked away from His design.
But here's the hope: the God who created a good world is also the God who redeems it. A God who not only creates but *recreates* is even more glorious. Revelation promises He'll wipe away every tear and restore all things. The story isn't over.
Worship Through Wonder
Genesis 1 isn't just history—it's a hymn inviting you to worship. A.W. Tozer said, "What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Every created thing around you is an opportunity to think rightly about God.
When you see a sunset, intricate leaf veins, or a child's laughter, you're witnessing God's goodness. Creation itself wants to worship—Jesus said if people stayed silent, the rocks would cry out. Will you join creation's chorus?
When you encounter something beautiful in creation, you have a choice: either think about how you can use it for yourself, or let it point you to the goodness of the Creator. One leads to consumption; the other leads to worship.
Your Next Step
This week, practice seeing creation as worship fuel. Take a walk and notice five specific things God made. Thank Him for each one. Let the beauty around you draw your heart toward the Creator who called it all "good."
When you encounter brokenness, remember: this isn't how God made it, and it's not how the story ends. He's in the business of redemption, and one day, all things will be made good again.
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