God’s First Words Over You

Hello, Bride of Christ,

What were the very first words that greeted you upon entering this world? For some of us, we subconsciously answered this question through the actions of our biological parents who abandoned or abused us. Yet, for others, our parents lovingly tell us about our birth and all the events that took place that day, not focusing on the words spoken but letting actions speak for themselves. Yet regardless of what words—or silence—greeted us at birth, Scripture shows us the very first words God spoke over humanity. In them, we hear the intentions of His heart for us all.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. ~ Genesis 1:27-31, NKJV

In the first conversation between God Almighty and humanity, He revealed to them His desire to bless them with abundant life, purposeful stewardship, and sustaining provision. This exchange culminated with God declaring all of creation as very good.

The Hebrew adjective ‘tov’, which God used to describe creation, means it was perfectly suited to its purpose and functional. Yes, including you—you have a unique purpose!

Perhaps this truth is difficult to accept. Perhaps your spirit wrestles with it.

God continues to speak blessings over His creation—especially you, whom He entrusted with the care of His creation. Not a mistake, rather as the Psalmist declares, “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—” (Psalm 104:24, NKJV). God in His wisdom followed His declaration to humanity with rest, “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Genesis 2: 2-3, NKJV).

Reflection: In what ways has embracing God’s spoken word over your life brought you to rest?

Bride of Christ, God’s belief in our partnership with Him being very good opens the floodgates of blessings and ushers in divine rest. His work brings life, centers our purpose, sustains our energy, and results in rest. When we stop striving and pursuing self-centered productivity, we anchor ourselves in the goodness of His word. As seen in the garden, rest allows us to grow and flourish. This month, let us believe the good God spoke over us initially by abiding in His rest.