God's Delight in Process

Today I started a new Bible Reading Plan that will run for 3 years. I want to strive after a comprehensive study of God’s Word and keep a reasonable pace at the same time. That means a chapter a day, everyday for the next 1,095 days. I’m excited! So here I go … Genesis 1. Since I read this chapter many times before, I read it with little expectation of discovering new spiritual truths. But I was wrong to expect so little from God’s word. Here's my journal entry that I want to share with you. I hope that it will encourage you this week.

"God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good." Genesis 1:31

God chose to create the entire universe and everything in it through a process that progressed to something complete. Each day, small projects were completed (Day 1: light and darkness, Day 2: heaven and earth, etc.) God could have created everything in 1 second if He wanted to but He took His time and worked through a process. Why? One thing that I noticed was that God enjoyed and delighted in each stage of the process. After God created light and darkness on the first day, the verse says, “God saw that it was good.” This phrase is repeated throughout the creation account, reminding me that God delighted in His creation even when it was not fully complete. He didn’t merely wait to the very end to say that it was good. Instead, He showed his approval and delight after each day of creation.

As His children, we are all in the process of sanctification, seeking to manifest Christ-likeness each and every day. The process will be completed (perfected) when we meet our Father in Heaven. I have always hoped that at the end of my life, God places his hand on my shoulder and says, “David, well done” or “David, it was good.” In reading Genesis 1 today, I was reminded that God is patient as well loving throughout the entire process. He doesn’t just wait until the end to give his affirmation. He loves me in this stage of my growth and maturity.