IN THE BEGINNING-
MERRY MONDAY BY PARRIS BAILEY
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Gen.1:1
While the ruckus was going on in Boston I was having our annual Women’s Retreat at Gulf Shores. During the massive manhunt our girls were having precious moments with the Master. He is certainly “holding all things by the word of his power”. All of us must go back “to the beginning” to experience revival in our lives. Is it too late for the United States to turn? Even Spurgeon writes these words about revival in his time. “The Holy Spirit is quite as able to convert men, to quicken, enlighten, sanctify, and instruct. There is nothing which he has done which he cannot do again; the treasures of God are as full and as running over now as they were in the beginning of the Christian age. If we do not see such great things, where lies the restraining force? It is in our unbelief. “If thou believest, all things are possible to him that believeth. Ere this year has gone, God can make a wave of revival break over England, Scotland, and Ireland, from one end to the other, ay, and he can deluge the whole world with the gospel if we will but cry to him for it, and he wills to do it, for he is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,” in the resources of his grace.”
Just as “in the beginning” we need the Holy Spirit to bring peace to our chaos. Matthew Henry has this to say, “The Spirit of God was the first mover: He moved upon the face of the waters. When we consider the earth without form and void, methinks it is like the valley full of dead and dry bones. Can these live? Can this confused mass of matter be formed into a beautiful world? Yes, if a spirit of life from God enter into it, Ezek. xxxvii. 9. Now there is hope concerning this thing; for the Spirit of God begins to work, and, if he work, who or what shall hinder? God is said to make the world by his Spirit, and by the same mighty worker the new creation is effected. He moved upon the face of the deep, as Elijah stretched himself upon the dead child,–as the hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and hovers over them, to warm and cherish them, Matt. xxiii. 37,–as the eagle stirs up her nest, and flutters over her young. God is not only the author of all being, but the fountain of life and spring of motion. Dead matter would be for ever dead if he did not quicken it.”
In a strange way I sense revival in the air. While the world is experiencing chaos, we Christians can redirect ourselves for the harvest and for his presence. The chaos of the world brings about disorder, confusion and every evil work. But when God steps in our lives we feel His peace and His purpose.