Devotion Corner

Genesis 1:10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

Matthew Henry’s devotional commentary is still a go to resource for Christians the world over, even though he lived centuries ago. The amazing array of brilliant Biblical insights Henry compiled in his great work, came about through a disciplined daily walk with his Lord and Saviour. Henry delighted in studying and living in His Lord’s Word, and in this abiding in Christ, Henry saw wonderful truths glimmer from the pages of Holy Scripture, like a dazzling jewel in the morning sunlight. 

Henry observed in his commentary, the wonderful provision that God made for the daily toils of humanity, well before Adam would ever first experience the strains of life. In Genesis 1:10, we see God separating the land from the seas, as the great waters of the globe were gathered together by the power of His Word. Throughout the Bible, seas are symbols of chaos. So, the picture was given back in Genesis, that just as God appoints the limits and borders of the chaotic seas by His authority, so too does He limit the chaos of mortal life from the shores of His redeemed children. The Lord says to the troubling waves of life’s struggles, ‘This is your border, you shall go no further.’ And so we, His adopted children, are kept safe each day by His power and authority over all Creation.

This then is our peace each day. That just as God has set the boundaries of the seas, so too has He set the boundaries of the troubles that will affect our days. He raised dry land from the waves of chaos, so that life may grow and thrive, thus glorifying His name. We thrive when we stand upon the Rock that is Christ Jesus and abide in His loving provision. This is what Matthew Henry knew and delighted in each day. As Henry now walks in glory with his Lord and Saviour, let’s look to emulate such devoted days of service to Christ Jesus. Then we too can rest easy knowing that someday, we will join Matthew Henry in Paradise. Amen.