Chaos, Disorder, and Darkness
“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.” (Genesis 1:1-2)
Before God spoke “the earth was without form (a desolate waste), and void (empty ruin)” and “darkness was on the face of the deep”.
Several commentaries translate the idea of the earth being “without form” and “void” as chaos and desolation.
As I read this passage today I wondered if the term “the darkness was on the face of the deep” had to do with satan, who loves darkness (Ephesians 6:12, Acts 26:18, Colossians 1:13) enjoying the desolation and chaos on the earth and in the deep.
I tend to believe that he had already been cast out of heaven before Genesis 1:1 happened and that this reference in Genesis 1:1 has to do with the devil.
This is how it was in the VERY beginning: chaos, disorder, darkness.
“Then God said, ‘Let there be light!’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
God spoke and what we see happening from that point on in Genesis 1 is the ORDER and LIGHT of God displacing the desolation, chaos and darkness that was on the earth.
“In the beginning” God’s Kingdom (His order and rule) was not on the earth. Then He spoke….and it flowed from the heavens to the earth.
Satan could not stomach this, so the first chance he got he brought darkness to Eden (a representation of God’s Kingdom on the earth) by lying to the woman who later was renamed to “Eve”.
The devil is NOT creative. He does the same things with people over and over and over again. He uses our pride and the separation and distance that exists between ALL people and between people and God to keep us from sharing our lives with one another and with God.
He doesn’t want us comparing notes. He doesn’t want us to realize he is making fools of us all, with tragic results.
He tempts us the same ways repeatedly.
In fact, EVERY temptation is intended by him to bring into our lives the very same thing that was on the earth before God spoke: desolation, chaos and darkness.
Every time we are tempted to hide something we have done, are doing or intend to do, to lie about someone, to cheat in any way (in relationships, on taxes, etc.) to gossip, to hate, to rebel against parents, spiritual leaders, or other godly authorities in our lives, to steal…to sin in any way, satan hopes for the outcome to be desolation, chaos and darkness.
Satan loves these things because he knows that once he brings them into a person’s thoughts, emotions, decisions, life, marriage, business, relationships….he can rule that person.
God’s response is ALWAYS the same and this is because He NEVER changes:
“…I am the LORD, I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6a)
He still speaks light into darkness and He still turns chaos and desolation into order and beauty. He said he would do this!
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1-4)
God stands ever ready to restore order and bring light into our lives.
Those who partner with Him (the literal meaning of the term “fellowship with God”) stand ever ready to minister God’s order and light wherever satan has been successful in his perverted “ministry” of chaos, desolation and darkness.
I fell asleep late last night thinking about and praying for some that I love who are apparently overrun with unforgiveness and are practicing things God hates because He knows the damage they bring into human hearts. (I know a LOT of people.)
This grieves me.
These thoughts I have written were placed on my heart as I awakened this morning. I believe the words I have written are God’s answer to my prayers last night.
God has determined that it is best for His Kingdom that we remain on the earth, that satan considers to be his own to rule, as His ambassadors advancing HIS kingdom, which displaces satan’s just as HIS light displaced the darkness as reported back in Genesis 1:3.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
May we all become as Jesus commanded: “wise (aware and actively thinking) as serpents (a reference to the demons) and harmless (innocent and simple) as doves.”
May our INNOCENCE come from having been pardoned of our sins by Jesus, Who became our sin….and may we honor him through living innocently, actively resisting satan’s temptations to harm others.
May we live SIMPLY…and by that I mean simply trusting the Lord and following His lead…walking in the Spirit…resisting satan’s temptations to live in our flesh.
Praise God that we Christians are those who have been “called out of darkness into His marvelous light”. (1 Peter 2:9)
May we live in the light.
The Lord bless and keep us.
Pastor Mike McInerney
Mike McInerney Ministries, Inc.
Decatur, Texas
© August 3, 2018
(For use with permission)