What do you believe about God? It has been said that what a person believes about God is the most important thing about a person. Now, if God never revealed Himself to us we would all be in trouble. But the good news is God has made Himself known to us. And a primary way to know what to believe about God is through His Word. The most times the term, “God,” is used in a chapter of Scripture or in a single psalm is thirty-two times, and that happens twice. Once is in Psalm 68 and the other is the introduction to the Bible, Genesis 1.

Genesis 1 is our introduction to God and it declares some foundational truths concerning God. We rightfully think of Genesis 1 as the account of God creating the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. But the main verb associated with God in Genesis 1 is that of God speaking. Ten times we read the phrase “God said”(vs. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29). This is good news. God speaks! God communicates! God makes Himself known. This becomes even better news when we see another repeated phrase in Genesis 1, “and it was so”(vs. 7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30). What God says is reality and it is powerful. Then God said, “Let there be light; and there was light (vs. 3). Wow! Let the power of God’s Word sink in! He speaks and it happens! What a blessing for us to have the true and powerful Word of God to guide us as we enter a New Year!

But there is another repeated phrase that ought to reinforce God’s Word to be the foundation for life in 2021: “And it was good” (vs. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). Because God is a good God, His Word is good. Do you want to know what is good in 2021? God has spoken! And His Word is not only powerful and real, but it also is good!

As we enter this New Year, may God’s introduction in Genesis 1 encourage us to know Him and trust Him more. Furthermore, may it spur us on to be in God’s Word on a regular basis. Two goals that I would encourage all of us to consider for this next year. First, set a Scripture reading goal. Some maybe could read through the entire Bible for the very first time. A younger reader might want to focus on several books of the Bible or the New Testament. Remember, God’s Word is powerful and it is good and it will teach you about God! Second, set a sermon listening goal. A primary way that God’s Word goes forth today is through the preaching and teaching ministries of the church. Here at First Baptist Church of Hamburg, our Wednesday night Bible Classes will resume on January 13th at 7:00 p.m. And on Sunday, January 24, we will begin two new sermon series; “In The Beginning: Foundations For Living in God’s World” from the book of Genesis at 10:30 a.m. and “That You May Know Him: The Miracles of Jesus,” an in depth look at the Christ’s miracles recorded in Luke’s Gospel.” at 6:00 p.m.

May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our God and Savior Jesus Christ in 2021, as we know Him through the powerful and good Word of God.