Day 3: Genesis 1:6-8
Devotional
READ GENESIS 1:6-8
Growing up I remember taking swimming lessons. I was late to the game and did not learn to swim as early as many of my friends did. The reason was simple; my mom was terrified of the water. She had a traumatic experience with water and needless to say, we did not spend much time around it. My mom wanted me to learn how to swim to hopefully avoid having the same experiences she had.
Water is a repeated word in the creation account of Genesis 1. As the Spirit of God hovers over the deep, we see water accompanied by darkness (something else people are scared of) and described as formless, void, or chaotic even. For the ancient Near Eastern reader of Genesis, water was chaotic and clearly a place where humans did not belong. It was a substance and place that needed to be tamed. Genesis 1:6-8 is the first of many places in the Bible where we see God as the master Water Tamer. He separates the waters above and below, bringing order and function to the formless void and chaotic waters.
God tames the water again after the flood in Genesis 7 and reminds Noah that water will not destroy the earth again. God is the master Water Tamer in Exodus when the Red Sea is split and in Joshua when the Jordan River stops flowing. Jesus continues this theme when he rebukes the wind and the waves and even walks on the water again revealing the ability to tame the waters. Revelation describes a sea at God’s throne that is so still it looks like glass. God is the master Water Tamer.
In a world of chaos, division, and obstacles, it is good to be reminded that we serve a God who is in complete and total control. He has tamed the waters and will one day tame all chaos and division permanently. In the meantime, we continue his work of bringing calm and peace to the chaos around us. We tame the water today with floaties, noodles, and boats. We help tame the chaos around us with love, joy, peace, and patience.
Growing up I remember taking swimming lessons. I was late to the game and did not learn to swim as early as many of my friends did. The reason was simple; my mom was terrified of the water. She had a traumatic experience with water and needless to say, we did not spend much time around it. My mom wanted me to learn how to swim to hopefully avoid having the same experiences she had.
Water is a repeated word in the creation account of Genesis 1. As the Spirit of God hovers over the deep, we see water accompanied by darkness (something else people are scared of) and described as formless, void, or chaotic even. For the ancient Near Eastern reader of Genesis, water was chaotic and clearly a place where humans did not belong. It was a substance and place that needed to be tamed. Genesis 1:6-8 is the first of many places in the Bible where we see God as the master Water Tamer. He separates the waters above and below, bringing order and function to the formless void and chaotic waters.
God tames the water again after the flood in Genesis 7 and reminds Noah that water will not destroy the earth again. God is the master Water Tamer in Exodus when the Red Sea is split and in Joshua when the Jordan River stops flowing. Jesus continues this theme when he rebukes the wind and the waves and even walks on the water again revealing the ability to tame the waters. Revelation describes a sea at God’s throne that is so still it looks like glass. God is the master Water Tamer.
In a world of chaos, division, and obstacles, it is good to be reminded that we serve a God who is in complete and total control. He has tamed the waters and will one day tame all chaos and division permanently. In the meantime, we continue his work of bringing calm and peace to the chaos around us. We tame the water today with floaties, noodles, and boats. We help tame the chaos around us with love, joy, peace, and patience.
Personal Reflection
As you think of God the Master Water Tamer, what is something you are fearful of? Can you trust God with that fear?
It is easy to see the chaos and confusion all around us. What are some practical ways you can bring order by loving, serving, and encouraging?
It is easy to see the chaos and confusion all around us. What are some practical ways you can bring order by loving, serving, and encouraging?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
3 Comments
This was a beautiful reminder that God is in control. I needed to be reminded today.
Water Tamer. Priceless term.
After some reflection, God put on my heart listening and presence. He has reminded me a lot this year of the importance of these responses that I would have considered as more passive in the past. I am learning the importance of these practices, and I believe God could use me to tame the chaos around me just by listening and being present for others.