Recently NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) launched a new space telescope, aimed at the far reaches of the outer space. They hope to look further and deeper into our galaxy, wondering as we all do—what’s out there?

Like the scientists at NASA, David also found the stars fascinating. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Undoubtedly he gazed up and pondered the heavens during long nights standing guard over his father’s sheep.

David echos the creation account in Genesis, reminding us how the heavens point to our creator. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. God’s fingerprints cover the skies.

In the next breath David turned from the heavens, launched by the voice of God, to God’s voice in his hands—the Holy Scriptures. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. Firm—just like the heavens and the earth—and righteous—worthy of a long gaze.

David saw the wonder of God’s creation mirrored in the wonder of God’s word.

As I start this new year it’s helpful for me to remember that while the heavens remain accessible only from a distance, one treasure of God’s creation—the words of the Lord—rests in my hands.

Psalm 19 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by NASA

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

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

Today marks the beginning of a new year. Hopefully a year with less covid and more good cheer. Maybe a year of health, wealth and prosperity? Maybe a problem-free year, or maybe a year where all our favorite teams win championships?

Doubtful. This new year will bring successes and failures, losses and gains, good health and illness. The ebb and flow of life.

The first two verses of Genesis remind me that the same Holy Spirit who hovered over the waters, who formed the formless and filled the empty, hovers over my life with the ability to do the same for me. One constant in the unpredictabilities of life.

I pray that this year I will be brave enough to invite the Holy Spirit to develop my heart in new ways, to shape it using fresh designs. As the new year grows old, may the Creator continue his good work in me.

Genesis 1 in reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Ryan Parker

As I’ve read the Bible over and over, I find that some years I’ve planned for my reading better than others. Many times I’ve started at Genesis and ended in Revelation, reading straight through, as much as I feel like reading every day. Other years I’ve read in a chronological Bible, which helps me keep track of the timing of events, especially when reading through the prophets.

The last couple of years I’ve used a 5 day reading plan. This one is chronological, which I prefer, it’s well paced, and contains passages from both Old and New Testament each day. The pace is five days per week, with two days for catch-up, which I’ve found helpful when I miss a day or two along the way.

If you’d like to give it try, you can access the plan at the Five Day Bible Reading website. Along with the plan, they have other resources you might like. This plan is free, and easy to print for your Bible or journal. That’s where mine sits all year as I mark off the reading each day.

Whatever plan you choose, pick one that motivates you to move forward. A plan itself only serves as a tool to help you access and enjoy a year of walking through the Word of God,.

May your reading draw you closer to the heart of God!

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out