Genesis 1

Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

On the sixth day, God created animals and man. God told man to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it, and to have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves on the earth (Genesis 1:28). How do you exercise this dominion in the way you take care of the body that God gave you? How do you take care of the animals that God created? Moses, the author of Genesis, presents three categories of animals: cattle, creeping things and wild animals. In contrast to animal relationships with God, man’s relationship with God is described as unique. The highlight of creation is when God made man on the sixth day. Everything that was created before man was created for a divine purpose, but God’s great purpose was to create a being in His image, able to communicate with Him and to further fulfill God’s purpose. Everything was ready when the man appeared. The environment was perfect. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit took part in creation together. Let Us make man in Our likeness, in Our image (Genesis 1:26). This verse points to the Trinity – this concept is difficult to understand in the Old Testament and it continues to be difficult today. Elohim is the name of God used in Genesis one.  The triune nature of God was not understood until the Lord Jesus came to earth. The Lord Jesus revealed His divinity and He revealed to us the truth about the Holy Spirit.

That human beings were created in the likeness of God means we are responsible morally and spiritually and are able to worship God, to love Him and to serve Him. Only man was created in God’s likeness. Only man has the ability to know God, to communicate with Him and make Him known to others. God the Creator created man in His image and likeness. How well am I representing the image of God in my world? How constant am I in living out my faith? What do my words, my thoughts, my actions, and my work reveal about my relationship with God? How well do I know my Creator? How well do I know His purpose? Your thoughts about the Creator, after having researched and studied chapter 1 of Genesis, might be different. Perhaps you want to know Him more and ask for His help. You can improve your relationship with Him today and this week and every day. Will you choose to leave behind the concerns, the problems or your ephemeral joys that you may worship your Creator who made the world for you to enjoy it? You can choose to give glory to Him and to experience His blessings. If you are looking for answers for your life, you can start by thanking God for all He has done for you. Count you blessings and do not forget that you have been created in the image and likeness of God!

O, Lord, You prepared a place for me here on earth, a place to live for a while. You want to have a special relationship with me. I love You and I worship You. O, God, how great and marvelous is all You have made! Everything I see or don’t see with my eyes is Your wonderful creation. Thank You for: light, heaven and earth, trees, flowers, grass, animals, waters, mountains and hills, valleys and meadows, birds, fish and all the beauty that surrounds me! You can create beauty in my life too. I invite You into my life to change darkness into light, to give life where there is death, to revive dryness that is in my heart with Your inexhaustible springs, to give rest to my weary soul and body, to give joy to my heart through all Your marvelous creation; to sustain health to my mind by the true faith, based on Your Word, not the word of men. I often wonder: How does my life reflect the purpose for which You created me? You’re not far from me. You gave me Your Word that I should know You. Thank You for all the opportunities You give me to know You. Your strength helps me to bear fruit. Thank You for working in my life. As long as I remain in You, I will bear fruit (John 15:4-5). Please do not let me get away from You nor to isolate myself. Thank You that You fill my life with activities that have eternal value. I don’t want to be bored and fruitless. I want to grow in the knowledge of Truth. You’ve made me to have a special relationship with You. Thank You for Jesus Christ who redeemed me. Thank You for all of Your blessings. I choose to remain in Your will. I pray that You would continue to change my life as You want. I will not cease to love You, to thank You and to worship You, because You speak to me through Your creation and You blessed me beyond measure!

You are blessed beyond measure!