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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I praise you today as the Creator of the universe. I marvel that you have always existed. You are uncaused, eternal and transcendent. You created the world through your Son, the Word (cf. John 1:3; Col 1:16), and your Holy Spirit was there, “hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen 1:2b). I rejoice in the creativity and power that are revealed in each of the days of creation. You are a God who is all-knowing. You foreknew the fall of man before creation, and you planned to send your Son as a sacrifice for “the sins of the whole world” (Acts 2:22–23; 1 John 2:2). Today in Your Word Today you told me how you spoke the universe into existence out of nothing. Your creative activity took place during six, 24-hour days, and on the seventh day you rested. This example of work and rest was intended to be a pattern for me to follow (cf. Exod 16; 20:8–11). You made man and woman in your image, and they became the model for marriage. Sadly, the beauty of your “very good” creation was marred by two falls: the fall of Satan and the fall of man. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, and death through sin (Rom 5:12). The entire universe is now suffering the effects of mankind’s sin (Rom 8:22). Reflection The fall is not some distant event in the past that has no relevance to me today. I am personally affected by Adam’s sin. It affects me physically, emotionally, mentally, and most of all, spiritually. As a Christian, I am alive in Christ, but I need to walk each day under the control of the Holy Spirit to avoid falling prey to sin. Request Father, I want this new year to be a year of complete dependence on you. Continue to conform me to the image of your Son (Rom 8:28–29), and help me to “hold fast to what is good” (Rom 12:9). Thanksgiving Thank you for making yourself known to the world. Your invisible attributes, your power and divine nature, are clearly seen in the things that you have made. I honor you and give thanks for your beautiful creation that, although tainted by sin, continues to proclaim your majesty and glory (Rom 1:19–21; Ps 19:1–6). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “All Things Bright and Beautiful” by Cecil F. Alexander. Meditation Verse: Genesis 3:21. |