Wednesday: God in Creation
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 8th of April 2026
You probably know from memory the first words in the Bible: “In the beginning God.” In Hebrew, the word for God here is Elohim. Although this word can be used when talking about false “gods,” when it refers to the one true God, it describes an almighty, all-powerful Creator in connection with the whole of creation; the transcendent God who is beyond our understanding but in control of everything. He is so powerful that when He speaks, something is created just from His voice.
But in the next chapter, Genesis 2:1-25, there appears a different name for God: Yahweh. This name connects to Elohim (Yahweh Elohim), the same all-powerful, almighty God; but the name Yahweh is the more personal name of the one true God, often used to emphasize that God is the covenant God, in loving relation with His created people.
Compare the descriptions of God in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 2:7. What do you notice?
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In Genesis 2:7, we can imagine God kneeling to form the first human being out of the ground with His own hands. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” This is a God who gets close—so close that He breathes into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life. This name, Yahweh, presents a more intimate picture of God, but Moses uses both names in the first two chapters of the Bible to describe these two characteristics of God to us.
How astonishing! We see here God’s transcendence to us as Elohim, and His immanence, His closeness to us, as Yahweh. How good for us to think of both of these aspects of God’s character: His overall control of everything and His nearness to us. As Paul said to the Athenians on Mars Hill: “ ‘He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being’ ” (Acts 17:27-28, NKJV).
It’s important that we continue to seek a clear, balanced picture of God based on what the Bible tells us about God’s character in order to grow in a relationship with Him. This is why it’s important to read all parts of the Bible rather than focusing on only one portion. Truly, the more we learn about the character of God, the more we will learn to love Him.
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Read as Elihu describes some of God’s attributes in Job 36:24-33 and Job 37:1-24. Then read God’s declaration of His omnipotence in Job 38:1-41 and 39. What do these passages reveal to us about God? |
I turned 80 last year and one of the astounding facts I know about myself it that I have gone through about 8 changes of atoms and molecules during my life. Ok, some bits of me have changed more often – my stomach lining has a lifetime of about 5 days. And I think some of my dentine in my teeth may have been there since my teenage years and I am doing my best to hang on to those. The really interesting thing is that in spite of the turnover of atoms and molecules, I am still me. That is really weird. It’s a bit like the fellow who had a knife that he claimed he had had all his life, in spite of the fact that he had replaced the blade three times and the handle four times.
One way of looking at this is to think of life as the instantiation of a pattern. The physicist, Richard Feynman talks quite a bit about life being the pattern that causes the atoms and molecules to dance to its tune. He would probably turn over in his grave at my application of this idea, but I think the Bible supports it.
Here are a couple of verses to consider:
This is talking specifically about Jeremiah, but what about applying that idea to the rest of us too?
The Psalmist puts it this way:
I don’t have an agenda on this pattern idea. It is just something to think when we talk about creation, restoration, and renewal.
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20, NLT).
The text above says that no one can claim ignorance of not knowing God, as all have seen the earth and the sky above. Creation testifies to the glory and mighty works of God’s hands. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalms 19:1). Even so, to us who read the scripture, we should know much more. Therefore, we stand condemned for not acknowledging God in all our ways.
Next time we see nature, we must praise God and give Him honour and glory for the mighty works of His hands. We are being reminded not to take nature for granted. God is manifested everywhere. As believers, we should champion the protection of what God created. The most important thing to start with is to treat our fellow beings well, as the most treasured creation. We cannot claim that we know God, and yet we mistreat His creation. God created us, and He redeemed us; thus, we are doubly special to God. Therefore, knowing God must be manifested in the ways we treat our fellow human beings. It is amazing how the Creator could die for His creation. If we ill-treat God’s creation, particularly our fellow beings, it is demonstration that we do not know God.
From what we see in creation, we don’t need to explain God or His nature, for there is no philosophy that can explain God, nor is there any argument that can describe His nature. There is no apology for who He is, for there is overwhelming evidence that He created the universe. The Bible writers were not trying to explain God’s existence, and neither should we, for God doesn’t need any proofs; His existence is beyond the realm of any proof. Trying to prove God through physical,material things would be like opening a piano and trying to find the “Hallelujah Chorus.” The truth is, creation speaks volumes about God to an extent that we don’t need to prove or disprove God; all we need to do is believe in God.From the creation story and what science has helped us to see about God, if we don’t believe in Him, it’s because we have chosen not to. For God in creation is a personal God who has chosen to reveal Himself by providing us with an innate awareness of Himself (Romans 1:19, 20). Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to us (John 1:14). God is a “faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19). He didn’t make this world, fling it out into space, and turn His back on it. He made it and looks after us. This is a powerful, personal, purposeful God who made us for a purpose.
As I was reading today’s lesson, it reminded me a lot of my father. He was one of the people who raised me along with my mother, and he is a man I admire very much. I remember how he used to play with me; he was fun, loving, and taught me many things. But one day I made the mistake of disobeying him, forgetting the authority he had as a father. Because I trusted him so much, when he disciplined me, for a moment I saw him as a different father from the one I knew. I became afraid, and in that moment I forgot all the good, loving, and joyful moments I had shared with him. I even thought that maybe he no longer loved me. But with time I understood that I was wrong. He loved me more than I had imagined. I understood his words better when he told me that if he did not love me, he would have let me do whatever I wanted. That made me think of God. Sometimes, when we do not understand His character, we can misunderstand His actions, especially when He corrects us or allows something that we do not understand. But the Bible shows that God is not only powerful as Creator, but also near, loving, and faithful. Understanding my father’s character better led me to love him more; and in the same way, understanding God’s character leads us to trust Him more and love Him more.
Hebrews 12:6
“For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Proverbs 3:11–12
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.”
God is powerful yet merciful, gracious, and kind to His children. He is patient with our failings, He provides for our sustenance, He chastens us in love, and He is so close to us that He knows our fears,pains,and disappointments.
As I studied this morning I shouted in singing:
I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command,
And all the stars obey.
I am in awe!! that such a great, big wonderful God, considers one like me. I’m grateful!
Claudia – so happy you shared with us this mighty song of praise! I do not know the melody. Nevertheless, the Truth of its words soared upward in the wonderful melody of my greatful heart recognizing God’s power. Thank you for providing us this moment of praise! 🙂
God’s creation is an expression of His love. Yesterday the discussion was of, His love can be seen in His Holiness, and that looking to the sacrifice Christ made for us by dying for our sins on the ✝️ of Calvery, this formed a way for us to be saved, since we acted upon that act of love, that act was, a particular act of love that was only done once for us. Praise God, Christ is following through as our advocate before our Father presently(Christ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary). Lev. 16; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Heb. 1:3; 2:16, 17; 4:14-16; 8:1-5; 9:11- 28; 10:19-22; Rev. 8:3-5; 11:19; 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:11, 12. We either start or continue to follow through with action. James 1:22. He gave us the choice. We look at creation and then with all that love from God as one atheist said, “I converted from atheism to Christendom by becoming a Seventh-day Adventist. It was because in my study of nature, fossils of the whales they were in a active flow that could be non-other than the Biblical worldwide flood God brought on this earth because of sin abounding, there were only 8 who choose salvation through the grace of God. Yes, I too stay with God daily because of need of a Saviour. What about you?
Christ offered up His broken body to purchase back God’s heritage, to give man another trial. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain of our salvation intercede for us, but as a Conqueror claiming His victory. His offering is complete, and as our Intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression. Christ Object Lesson page 156.2
God created us, we worship God in Spirit and in Truth!
Acts 17:25-28
”And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from anyone of us.
For in Him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.””
Wholeheartedly believing that we are created by our God – having our life in Jesus Christ, His Son -, we cannot continue to live in ignorance when calling Him Abba-Father in our surrender to Him. Our whole being – our life – is called upon to reflect His Glory. Jesus did this; being found in Him, we do likewise – Phil.1:21; Mark 14:26; Rom.8:15; Gal.4:6
I had two questions while reading the lesson:
1.How does God being a Creator describe His character to me?
2.How does creation improve my knowledge of God?
God being Creator shows me that He is powerful, wise, and intentional.He speaks and things happen, He brings order, and He creates with purpose, even knowing us before we are born.
Creation also improves my knowledge of God because,just like an artist seen through their work, I see His power, wisdom, and beauty in what He made. This makes Him feel real to me and draws me closer to Him.
God is the God of the possible and the impossible. God is undescribable. He made Himself known to humans because He decided to tell us a story, the perfect story, the mercy story: Jesus is the closest description of God we will ever have.