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

Sunday, January 4, 2026

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.
— Genesis 1:2 NLT

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

All Together in the Beginning
Devo: Together in Christ
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God..."
All the Godhead at Work Creating
Devo: Together in Christ
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God...."
And God Saw that It Was Good
Article by Phillip Morrison
Perspective gained from a view of earth from space. Phillip Morrison writes about the Apollo 8 moon orbit and the famous earthrise photo taken by the astronauts orbiting the moon in what otherwise would have been a disastrous year for America.
Let There Be Light!
Article by Tim Archer
Do you choose darkness or light? God wants to place his light inside of us. He wants to make us shine brighter than the sun.
See All 5 Related Resources about Genesis 1:2

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 Sunday, January 4, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Discover that God Is True!' (Jn. 3:31-33)
"[John the Baptizer said to his disciples,] "[Jesus] has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Crisis Council' (Acts 4:5-7)
"The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Jonah 1:3
"Instead of going to Nineveh to preach the Word, as God bade him, Jonah disliked the work, and went down to Joppa to escape from it. There are..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Christians Can Find Strength in God' (Ep. 6:10)
"In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless]..."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations