Something from Nothing

Sometimes human beings struggle with concepts that only God can teach. But revelation can help considerably, that is, God can show us something that we have no other way of knowing - unless it were "revealed." Such is the case when it comes to the creation of the universe and all things as we know them. How else could we know how we got here, unless Someone who does know were to show us?

Without anyone else's help, you and I can understand how to create, form, shape and design. We can manipulate the things that have been supplied to us. We have our intellect, we have the materials, and we even have within us the imagination required to come up with some of the most amazing ideas. But still one question remains that we cannot answer: How could we ever get something from nothing?

The Bible says that God spoke into existence the heavens and the earth - that God said, "let there be light", and there was light (Gen. 1:3). A complete reading of the first chapter of Genesis includes the words "Then God said" a total of 10 times. From this we know that God had the ability to produce everything that exists today with nothing more than His perfect knowledge, power and wisdom. Nothing physical existed until God (Who is spirit) simply spoke it into being. Thus God literally made something where there was nothing!

The fact that God made something from nothing is one of the greatest truths of His existence. The book of Job tells us that, "He hangs the earth upon nothing" (Job. 26:7). How amazing! We know that the earth is suspended in empty space, but how and why it sits there we cannot fathom. Oh, we can offer explanations, but we must understand that the truth is "By His Spirit He adorned the heavens" (Job 26:13). Just spend one evening with the stars and then try to say that there is no God (Rom. 1:20)!

As we look a little bit deeper into the question, we should also consider our condition for the future. Have you ever thought about the fact that one day the body that you now live in will come to be as nothing? True enough it will return to dust (Eccl. 12:7) - but what will it be worth to you then? Let God be praised that once again His eternal power and Divinity can make something from nothing! Paul told the Christians in Philippi that God "will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the power by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" (Phil. 3:21). Such is only possible for those whose "citizenship is in heaven" (3:20). Yet still what a glorious time that will be!

A final thought that must be included with all of this is your personal spiritual condition - your relationship with the Almighty Creator. Sin in your life has done the opposite of what can be done for you by Him. Sin has only helped every one of us to make nothing out of something. So, if you have never come to know God, let me encourage you to get to know Him and His word. If you are coming to know Him let me encourage you to do the things that His word teaches for salvation. And finally, if you have obeyed the gospel but are struggling to grow, let me encourage you by reminding you of one thing. If you serve a God that can make something out of nothing, then He can also help you become better than you've ever been before, do things that you'd never thought you could do, and fill every empty space in your heart with His ultimate power and love. Isn't that something?

"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You" - Job 42:2