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IN THE BEGINNING GOD

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Pacific Press Publishing Association

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 32.

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“IN THE BEGINNING GOD.”

IN these simple, expressive, majestic words the Bible begins. It does not hide the beginning behind some obscure scientific term which might mean everything, or something, or nothing. We are not left to indulge in speculative fancies or conjecture as to the origin of the earth. “In the beginning God.” He was there. Before that beginning was, [[FIGURE]] and before every other beginning of which there is a record was, God was, enthroned in majesty sublime, the self-existent God.
God was the Creator in duality of personality. The Father said to the Son, “Let Us make.” “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Col. 1:17. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. “Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, the heavens are the works of Thy hand.” Heb. 1:10. And to man He says: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare if thou hast understanding; . . . when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:4-7. God is its Author, Architect, Maker; and He “is the true God; He is the living God, and an everlasting King.” Why, then, turn from the simple, reasonable, consistent story of Holy Writ? “If weak thy faith, why choose the harder side?” “In the beginning God.”
WHEN man sinned, he forfeited all the gifts and blessings of God. Then came to him in the darkness of despair a ray of kindling hope of whom the Author was God. “In the beginning [of man’s hope] God.” On Him and His Word is based the promise. In Him was the hope. Just as He spoke the cosmos of light and order and beauty out of the darkness of chaos, so it was the light of His love that pierced the dark void which sin had made, and brought the cosmos of regeneration and righteousness and life out of the chaos of sin and death. He is the Author of our faith. “In the beginning” of man’s redemption, God.
THE Sacrifice of the Universe was made “in the beginning.” He was the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. God’s eternal purpose provided “in the beginning” all things needed by His children. His mighty purpose provided for all contingencies. He is surprised*by no aberration that sin could bring, no effort which the author of sin could put forth. When all is finished in the last great day of final assize, it will be seen that all the forces of evil have had every opportunity, every advantage, yet He who was in the beginning prevails by the everlasting power of righteousness.
“In the beginning God!” The thought should be a suggestive one to the child of God. “In the beginning [of life] God.” Let the little child be taught to look up to the great kind Father who is love from the beginning. Teach the child and the older child to bring God into his thoughts and plans at the beginning of every day. Let the first moments and thoughts of morning be open to His presence, His guidance, His wisdom. Let Him spread over us His protecting ægis, proof against all the fiery darts of the enemy. Knowing and realizing His presence in the beginning, we shall desire His presence, His companionship, His guidance, all the way.
“IN the beginning [of every plan and scheme and device and trade and bargain] God.” Of old it is said of the wicked, “God is not in all his thoughts.” And how true is this of many professed Christians. How many plans are devised in human wisdom, in which self alone is consulted. How many trades and bargains are driven with which God has naught to do, and which, in consequence, hurt hearts and destroy souls. What a different world it would be if in all things Christians did have God in them from the beginning, if He were but their Author.
THERE may be those who read these lines who have not had God in the beginning of their life, in the beginning of their purposes, in their plans at all; and they have met and are meeting disappointment. To such we say, Despair not. Go on in disappointment no longer. Bring all the old life to God; give it to Him, and take from His heart, His own free gift, a new life, new affections, new birth. Make a new record, of which “in the beginning God” shall be your all in all. And your feet shall tread the pathways of disappointment no longer.
“In the beginning God!” He who is in the beginning is the same yesterday and to-day and forever. He is the Author of our faith; praise God, He is the Finisher. He is the Friend who abides with us all the way through. Friends turn from us here, and our hearts grow hard and bitter. Other friends die, and our hearts sorrow in bitter disappointment. But this Friend, God “in the beginning,” abides forever, our Creator, Redeemer, Saviour, Brother, Father, Friend.
The ruins of some of the magnificent printing machines which have helped to herald the truth to the world. The press in the center background on the brick foundation is a Cottrell, which has run for twenty-five years, and was doing first-class work at the time of the fire. The large press at the right on its side is the SIGNS rotary press, installed in 1899. This issue is printed on a new Cottrell.
The ruins of some of the magnificent printing machines which have helped to herald the truth to the world. The press in the center background on the brick foundation is a Cottrell, which has run for twenty-five years, and was doing first-class work at the time of the fire. The large press at the right on its side is the SIGNS rotary press, installed in 1899. This issue is printed on a new Cottrell.