1 In the beginning when God created^[a] the heavens and the earth, ² the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God^[b] swept over the face of the waters. ³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good.

In the midst of uncertain and unprecedented times, people are looking for hope. Joyfully, many people are seeking hope, comfort, and purpose in the pages of scripture. I think that one great place to look is in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible.

Genesis chapter one tells us how the world was once a dark and formless void. And then God spoke. Called for light, and there as light. And God saw that the light was good. That’s how the story of our lives starts. God speaks and darkness becomes light. God speaks, and a great void becomes a wonderful world. God speaks, and things are good.

God is still speaking. God’s Word comes in the songs that people sing outside hospitals in praise of healthcare workers. God’s Word comes in the sweet voice on the other end of the phone. God’s Word comes as we tell those whom we love and those whom we may have just met that it will be OK.

For hope, let’s start at the beginning:

In the beginning — God spoke.

Prayer

Wonderful God, let me listen for You to speak today. And as You are still creating goodness in the world, let my tongue be an instrument of sharing Your words of love with someone I meet. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.