“In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.”
— Genesis 1:1–2
In our lives, we often encounter seasons that feel formless and void moments of confusion, loss, uncertainty, or overwhelming darkness. We look at our relationships, health, calling, finances, or future and see emptiness rather than order.
Genesis 1:1–2 does not present a polished beginning; it reveals the raw material of divine creativity chaos. And it introduces us to the God who does not retreat from chaos, but deliberately begins there. From this truth, we discover the character of the God who starts with what looks broken in order to create something glorious.
I. God Is the Sovereign Initiator
He begins before we see progress.
“In the beginning God created…”
Before there was form, direction, or clarity there was God. He is eternal, self-existent, and intentional. Your story does not originate in confusion; it begins in God’s sovereign purpose. No situation is pre-God, and nothing is beyond His starting point.
The One who began creation declares again:
“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
The God who started creation is the same God who starts again with you.
II. God’s Power Confronts the Formless and the Void
Nothing is beyond His creative reach.
“…the earth was formless and void, a waste and emptiness…”
Scripture does not deny the reality of chaos. The description is honest, stark, and unfiltered. God does not bypass it.He confronts it.
Your grief, failure, disappointment, confusion, or delay is not a problem for God; it is the canvas for His power.
“There is nothing too difficult or too wonderful for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
The same power that created from nothing is fully sufficient for everything you face.
III. God’s Presence Hovers in the Darkness
He is intimately near.
“The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.”
Darkness did not drive God away it drew His Spirit closer. The image is one of attentive, nurturing care, like a mother bird guarding her young.
Before God speaks light, He abides in the darkness.
Darkness is not evidence of His absence; it is often the place where His presence is most active.
“Even the darkness is not dark to You.” (Psalm 139:12)
IV. Chaos Is a Prelude, Not a Finale
The Spirit prepares the way for God’s Word.
The Spirit’s hovering signals preparation. He is ordering what seems disordered, softening what is hard, and aligning what is scattered making room for the Word:
“Let there be light.”
God often works silently before He speaks suddenly.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… and intercedes according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26–27)
What looks like delay may actually be divine preparation.
Genesis 1:1–2 teaches us this: God does not avoid chaos. He masters it.
You have a Sovereign Initiator.
You are under Creative Power.
You are surrounded by a Hovering Presence.
And you are being prepared for a New World.
Do not fear the void. God specializes in beginnings that start in darkness.
The light is coming.
PRAYER
Elohim, Creator God,
We bring You every formless place, every void, and every deep darkness in our lives.
Thank You that You are present before clarity appears and active before change is visible.
We surrender our need to fix, control, or understand, and we place our trust in Your creative power.
Hover over our chaos by Your Spirit. Prepare our hearts.
Speak Your Word of light, order, and life into this new beginning.
We declare our dependence on You alone.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,
Amen.
DECLARATIONS
• I declare that God is the Author of my beginning.
• I declare that chaos will not define my future.
• I declare that the Spirit of God is hovering over my life.
• I declare that darkness is not the end of my story.
• I declare that God is preparing me for His Word.
• I declare that light will come where confusion once lived.
• I declare that this year begins with God and therefore it begins well.
• I declare that what looks empty will become fruitful.
• I declare that God is making all things new
