Saturday, December 14, 2019

Ancient Paths, New Vessels

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the Earth.” This simple and straight-forward verse carries with it much to consider. The reader is immediately introduced to God and time. In the beginning of what? Apparently, it was the beginning of everything on Earth that we are already familiar with, including “time”. 


Far beyond anything that mankind could make corporately, God accomplished alone, by Himself. What kind of power this God must have! How then are we to react towards God when He chooses to interact with us? He inspires wonder and awe in us, concerning this awesome power that He wields. 

The first verse holds the key to the whole Bible. If we can believe just that one verse, indeed just the first four words of it, the entirety of the Bible falls perfectly into place, and no intelligent question from us goes unanswered. From disobedience and judgment, to obedience and blessings, everything is covered by God’s own Holy Word. It is no wonder then, that God tells us that He has “magnified His Word above all His name.” (Psalm 138:2). 

The Bible speaks of God’s holiness throughout the text. It’s a purity of thought, will, and purpose in all things that He does, and sets out to do. The Bible also speaks of us approaching Him in humility, rather than pride; in lowliness rather than haughtiness; in awe and a reverential fear because of His power over us, and over all of Creation. That’s what creates the awe and wonder in our hearts and minds toward Him. 

God gives us commandments to guide us, and a free will that will reveal our true hearts. This reverence towards God is healthy for us. His Word tells us that this “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10), It is pure (Psalm 19:9), and Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” 

God calls us to things other than what seems to come so naturally. Hence, our need to be born again and changed. What the serpent in the Garden started, will be dealt with, and corrected, just as God’s Word tells us. 


“Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:19(b)







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