God's Holy Fire: 'Out of Formless Emptiness'

Saturday, January 4, 2025

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Key Thought

In the very first chapter of the Bible, we are taken to the formless emptiness before time began. We find the Spirit of God hovering over this formless and empty darkness, characterized as "the surface of the waters," waiting for God to speak his creative word. God's formative word set the power of the Spirit into creative work, ordering and making our universe and our world within it. However, isn't it so sadly ironic that in the emptiness of our lives we so seldom cry out to God and ask for his Holy Spirit to come into our lives and bring the Lord's creative order? Let's ask for God's Spirit, hovering above our messes, to enter into our lives and lead us to where we need to be and to bring the Father the glory he deserves!

Today's Prayer

O Sovereign God, I confess that I cannot order and control my life. I surrender to your grace and ask for your Holy Spirit to enter my world and bring your gracious and creative order and form your holy character and compassion in me. In the name of your Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Genesis 1:2 NLT — The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, January 4, 2025

Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, just yet merciful God, May I not become weary in doing good but rather work diligently, energetically, and enthusiastically, keeping in...."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or..."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"[Peter, after his deliverance from prison by an angel,] knocked at the door in the gate [at Mary's house], and a servant girl named Rhoda came to..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.