January 2 Reading: Genesis 1-3
In these first three chapters of the Bible, we are introduced to God the Creator. These chapters contain massive amounts of information for us to know. They lay the foundation for understanding God’s purposes, where humanity came from, humanity’s purpose, and humanity’s problem. These chapters also leave us when a host of questions as it relates to the specifics of creation. Consider the following thoughts from C.H. Spurgeon
“In the beginning.” When that beginning was we cannot tell. It may have been long ages before God fitted up this world for the abode of man, but it was not self-existent. It was created by God; it sprang from the will and the word of the all-wise Creator. When God began to arrange this world in order, it was shrouded in darkness, and it had been reduced to what we call, for lack of a better name, chaos. This is just the condition of every soul of man when God begins to deal with him in his grace; it is formless and empty of all good things.”1
Spurgeon also comments about Genesis 1:3-4
“How there was light before there was any sun, for the sun was not created until the fourth day of the week, is not for us to say. But God is not dependent on his own creation. He can make light without a sun.”1
While these things may intrigue the curious mind, what often gets lost are those things which are plain and clear. God created, worked, commanded, and rested. In that creative work he made human beings male and female and Genesis 2:24 says, the man “shall leave his father and mothers and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
As I read this, I was reminded of the tremendous gift of grace God has given me in my dear wife. She is a tremendous “helper” fit for me. She is strong, sensitive, encouraging, compassionate, kind, and in multiple ways helpful. Genesis 2:24 says I must “hold fast” to her. Why would I not hold fast? Why would you not hold fast to your wife?
Our culture is littered with men who have not held fast. Men often believe lies about companionship, pleasure, satisfaction, and intimacy. We are all good at living sinfully and selfishly, after all, it comes naturally. Therefore we must mentally battle to fend off the lies we hear (Romans 12:1-2). The best way to defeat the lies is to daily be reminded of the truth concerning all things and especially your wife if God has given you one Genesis 2:24 is a clarion call for a man to treasure his wife and Hold Fast!
“If we can but for a moment see our mate as God does, our compassion and love and understanding may be changed for a lifetime. A new view of our mate can only be accomplished as God gives it to us by His grace and that grace is tapped through prayer.” – Elizabeth Baker
1CSB Bibles by Holman; Begg, Alistair. CSB Spurgeon Study Bible (Kindle Locations 1299-1303). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.