Week of January 5

Chronology governs our lives more than we care to admit. We schedule our days, our workouts, our social time, our bedtimes and wake times, and even set alarms so we do not miss important events. We may subconsciously read Genesis 1:1-2:4 as though the point was God’s creation of hours and days. While we may read Genesis 1:1-2:4 chronologically, it actually provides us with a theological introduction to all of God’s redemptive-history, both that which is recorded in the Bible and what we experience. 

Furthermore, a “God created the world” outlook has the potential to transform our daily existence because we will be able to see how He is fashioning our lives from the perspective of an “eternal now.” In the case of our daily devotionals, we may invite Him to speak into every circumstance and encounter of the day through His word, the Bible. This awareness will motivate us to open the Bible each morning for a fresh meeting with the Lord God who creates all things! God saves, so we may have joy in whatever occurs each day of 2025.

The Source of all there is. “In the beginning” is a difficult phrase to translate from a Hebrew perspective (1:1a). If the clause is interpreted traditionally, then the beginning refers to the time when the universe came into existence, rather than the beginning or the opening of the creation account (Handbook on Genesis). These words form the foundation of all that is to follow in the Bible. 

A biblical worldview. First, the verse identifies the Creator, explains the origin of the world, and ties the work of God in the past to His work in the future (EBC). Secondly, we must always (and this means every day) keep in mind that when we say, “in the beginning,” it means that there will one day be an “at the end” (cf. Revelation 21-22). This world and our lives have a time frame. Keep the thought about our finitude in mind as we continue.

Talk about a theological statement! “God created” declares a singular worldview and holds profound implications for Genesis 1:1-Revelation 22:21. It also holds profound significance for our lives each day. The key element about this verse—other than its near universal recognition in the Western world—is that creation “extols God’s transcendence and the power of His spoken word” (NAC). For us to say, “God created” is to reject all other creation accounts where the origins and biographies of such gods are chief (NAC; EBC).

We resolve to begin this year and each day with this confession of faith. He alone is eternal, and we are finite, therefore we need His presence in our lives to live and breathe and for a clear direction each day (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6). It then becomes pure worship for us to state, “God creates!”

If you were like me, there were more than a few times as a child when you planted a bean seed in a Styrofoam cup at Sunday School or Vacation Bible School and took it home to watch it grow. I was intent upon keeping each of those plants alive. Sadly, those young plants usually lasted about two weeks! I eventually lost interest and ceased to care for them. I’d awake one morning, and the plant would be dry, brown, and brittle. Hold this thought for a moment.

January has become nearly synonymous with resolutions, and it is not at all unusual for people to make a commitment to read through the Bible in any given year. Our Pathway Devotional Ministry Bible-reading plan makes it possible to do just that, but the reality is that many resolutions fall by the wayside within the first two weeks of a year. Here are some thoughts on how to remain committed to daily prayer and Bible study throughout 2025.

Our spiritual lives wither when we lose sight of our theology, due to so many demands with chronology! Our spiritual lives become dry, brown, and brittle after a short period of time. Bean plants and Christian growth require daily care. The difference-maker for me is the realization that the Lord uses the Bible readings for each day to show me what He is doing in His kingdom at that time and to grow me into the person He needs to meet the challenges of that day. God does this for all of us.

Remember, good theology teaches us that we are finite. God can use your daily Bible study on January 18, for example, to prepare you for a trial that will occur later in the year! So, here is my suggestion. Take the eternal view of your daily readings and watch each day as He provides you with fresh help for living. Resolve to live each day with this awareness and within His creation purpose (cf. John 3:16; eternal life; cf. Luke 1 and the Gospel purpose).

1. Put on your theological lenses today. How do you, as a child of God, see Him fulfilling His creative kingdom purposes in your schedule? Your family? Your job? Make changes as needed.

2. For Families: It is good, at the beginning of each year, to think about the year to come and how we will spend the time God gives us. If we can make a space for reflection, and invite our children to do the same, while they are living under our roofs, they will be more likely to form a habit of doing this during their lifetimes as adults.

Schedule a morning before school starts to have breakfast together. Then invite everyone in the family to bring their Bible, a notebook, a calendar, and a cup of their favorite hot chocolate or coffee. Put on some quiet instrumental worship music to play in the background.

Now ask each one to choose a different room of your house, and give them these instructions. First, invite them to pray to God and make sure everything is right before Him. Confess any sin, welcome His Spirit to guide the next few moments. Then, think about the last year, and write down what spiritual growth they noticed in their own lives, and maybe where they still need to mature as disciples of Jesus.

Next, ask them to look through the calendar for next year, and see what big events are already scheduled there. Invite them to list some ways they would like to grow to be more like Jesus. Now come back together and ask God to speak through His Word as you read the following verses as a family: Isaiah 43:18-19; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; and Revelation 21:5. Pray together and dedicate the year 2025 to God. Ask Him to make your family to be more like Him.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock