"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Gen. 1:1, 2, NKJV).What do these verses reveal about the earth before the Lord began creating life on it?

A lump of sculptor’s clay contains so much potential and possibilities. The clay in the hands of the potter can be fashioned into a vase holding beautiful arrangement’s of roses. The clay can also be formed to become a cup to drink a refreshing drink in the summer, or a mug for hot tea in the winter. The possibilities are endless, but without the hands of the potter the clay remains without form and void. The picture of formless clay on the potter’s wheel before the potter’s hands gives us and idea of the earth that was without form and void before the Master’s hands.

The major difference is that the potter creates from something but God creates from nothing. The word used for void is bo’-hoo. This word is found in only two other places in the bible, in Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23. In Isaiah 34, the prophet describes God’s wrath against the nations, and what appears to be creation in reverse. In verse 11 it says “and he will stretch over it the line of desolation” (bo-hoo). In other words, He is going to make Zion formless and void. God again repeats this promise in Jeremiah 4:23, where He is calling His people to repent and He shows the people a vision of the last days when the earth again becomes formless and void.

These passages reveal a few important truths about the earth and Gods’ creative power. When the earth was desolate it was in a state of chaos, yet in the midst of this the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. Just as when God will execute judgement on the cities of this earth, so was the desolation in the very beginning. There existed nothing, yet God had the power to create from this state of nothingness. The power in Judgment is the same power in Creation. When God destroys He is also creating something new and better.

As the potter looks affectionatley on the formless lump of clay and imagines His masterpiece, So God hovered over the formless earth and imagined His magnificent creation. As He even held the entire chaotic beginning of creation in His power, so He holds our lives together by His mighty power. When we see our lives spiraling into a helpless chaos, look out! The Master may be creating something new in your life. In the fire of trials and in the hopelessness of heartache know that the Master is present and can create from your chaos.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, You create from nothing. You create from chaos. Please hold me in Your hands today and create something new from the mess I often find myself in. Thank You. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.