For Glory and Joy

A Devotional based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism Lord’s Day 4

Q. 9. What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. Q. 10. How did God create man? A. God created man male

and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness,

with dominion over the creatures. It is not socially acceptable today to say

you believe that God created the universe, to claim that you accept the

Genesis account of creation as true. Most would say the notion is archaic,

mythical, and anti-intellectual. Even within the church there is a wide variety

of teachings on what is actually meant by “day” in the creation account of

Genesis 1. Some assert that God created the world in six twenty-four hour

days, others that the universe is millions of years old, necessitating that the

events of Gen 1 took much longer. Still, others consider the creation story as

a theological work rather than an actual account of creation. It should be

noted that the Hebrew word for day (yom) always stands for a twenty-four

hour day when preceded by numbers, as is the case in Gen. 1. Moreover,

God’s pattern of work and rest could hardly serve as an example for our own

if God took longer than a week to complete his work. These are but two

reasons why the church has and continues teach a literal six day creation.

Most importantly, the Doctrine of Creation teaches us something about the

God whom we worship. Primarily, creation teaches us that God exists, and

that we cannot explain the universe without Him. Secondly, we learn that

God is sovereign. God has created everything, and therefore has ultimate

power over everything. Nothing is out of God’s hands, nothing beyond His

control, nothing that God cannot redeem. We also find in this doctrine

something about ourselves. Scripture teaches that we were created in the

image of God, something that is never said about any else in creation. Being

created in God’s image, we are set apart, and are given the privilege of

understanding God’s revelation, to have fellowship with God, and to reflect

God’s attributes. This is the foundation for our human dignity, our self-

worth. We were created special, in God’s image. Prayer Almighty and

Sovereign God, we thank you for your good work of creation, and for the

blessing of being created in your image. By your grace may we live to reflect

your image in a way that brings you honor and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Gen 1:1-31; Heb 11:3; Col 3:10; Eph 4:24; Rev 4:11