Then God Said

Happy New Year, Everybody! GraceNotes Daily Devotionals for 2021 is based on a reading plan that takes us through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice this year. Each day I’ll include the reading for the day at the top of the page. I’ll also include a Bible Gateway link to the chapter the devotional is taken from. I’ll be reading mostly from the NLT. Reading: Genesis 1-2; Luke 1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3 NLT) The phrase “God said” is repeated nine times in Genesis Chapter One. There are several other phrases in this chapter where God is the active person: “God created, God saw, God called, God named, God patterned, God planted, God blessed.” The Genesis account presents creation as entirely God-initiated. God thought about creation, spoke his intention, and it happened. Then God reviewed it, approved it, and spoke the next phase in the process. All of creation originated in God’s thoughts and was activated by God’s word. I resolve that 2021 be a God-intentioned, God-originated, God-created year for me, my family, and those I influence. I resolve to give greater attention to the things God has already spoken concerning his purpose. I resolve to give greater attention to listening for his current word. I resolve that more of my thoughts, words, and actions will be God-originated and God-initiated than ever before. Friends, we’re leaving behind a year most of us are only too happy to see in the rear-view mirror! 2020 was a year that reminded us how little we know about the future and how little we can actually control! Will you resolve with me that 2021 will be for us a “God said and I responded” year, a year of God’s creative initiative and our obedient and faith-filled response? May 2021 be for you and me a year defined by the words, “God said.” May our response be as Mary’s response to the words of the angel Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38 NLT) Prayer: Father, Thank you for your faithfulness in bringing us this far! I ask for me and for my friends around the world who are reading this devotional, that 2021 be a year defined by “God said,” and by our response, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Help us to listen carefully and attentively, believe simply and completely, and obey quickly and wholeheartedly. Amen.