OMNIPOTENCE IN CREATION—AND REDEMPTION

GENESIS 1:1–31

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light

(Genesis 1:2–3).

How powerful is darkness to withstand the power of light? If there is a contest between light and darkness, who wins? Light, of course. The victory is hands down, and it is instantaneous. As soon as we flip the switch, the light overcomes the darkness.

God’s power in creation

Such is the situation we find in Genesis 1. God simply utters a command, and light appears, immediately. This is what St. Augustine called the “divine fiat,” or the divine imperative: God speaks and it happens.

This is power! The power of creation is the most incredible power in the whole universe, and that power flows out of the character of God. The omnipotence of God means that God always has power over everything He creates.

God’s power in redemption

God’s power is not limited to the act of creation, however. The same power that made the world sustains the universe, and this same power is used by God to redeem His creation. The power by which God called the world into being out of nothing is the same power Jesus used when He called Lazarus forth from the grave. It was the sheer command of God that raised Lazarus.

If we only believed this, how much more active and bold we would be as Christians! One of the biggest problems we have as Christians is that we act as if we don’t believe in the power of God. We don’t seem to believe God is strong enough to do what He says He will do. God, however, has not changed. He has not stopped exercising His power, nor has His strength diminished. It is still available today—in my life, in your life, and in our confused, tumultuous world.

CORAM DEO

The power of God as revealed in creation and redemption should drive us to worship His majesty. It should also empower us to be more courageous in our lives of service and witness. On this first day of a new month commit yourself wholeheartedly to His service.

thursday

march