I love the story of Creation found in Genesis one. It is awe inspiring and thrilling to see that, however it was done, GOD did it. It was Him and His power behind it. Whether He brought each aspect of creation about in one 24 hour day or one day that, to Him, is as a thousand or more years is beside the point. And He can create a big bang with it if He wants to. That, too, is moot. The thing that matters to me as I read this story is that God did it, and with each aspect of His creation, He stepped back, looked at the results, smiled that big smile, and said, “Wow. Attention, angelic forces! Look up. See it. It is good.” He did this through all creation “days”; that is, except for one.

First, for the purpose of aiding insights to follow, let’s note that on day one, God created day and night, light and dark. We can each note from personal experience, and it is even noted in scripture, that in the light of day is when we tend to move about because we can see clearly. When it is dark, we tend to settle in for the night or seek out what little light can be found, because it is difficult to function in darkness. That fact is a safety issue in many instances, as the night and the dark is often the friend of predators.

God created light and dark, separating day from night, and said, “It is good.” He did so to make a distinction between light and dark that would separate day from night, providing a picture to explain the difference between good and evil. It is good to be able to recognize the difference found between the light and the dark, and to know to seek out the light.

Throughout scripture we see that night is often likened to evil or unrighteousness, and light to good or righteousness. Thus in God’s creation of day and night, light and dark, we see a picture of things to come, the battle between good and evil. As creation begins on this first day, I believe this battle was already in play in the heavenly kingdom as the angelic hosts began to have discord because of the influence of God’s commander of His armies, who was not satisfied with his high position, but was filled with lust and longing for God’s place. Thus we see that lust, dissatisfaction with one’s position in life, is the beginning of darkness.

Lucifer, the beautiful one, now known as Satan, wanted to be God. He was beautiful in appearance, appealing to the eye, and an influencer, with a way about him that led 1/3 of the hosts of heaven to be cast out of the realm with him. Thus we are warned in scripture that “Bad company corrupts good morals” and that lust is the beginning thoughts that lead to sin.

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. With the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures” (James 1:12-18; also see 1 Corinthians 15:33).

Thus is the separating force between light and dark, the battle between good and evil. Now hold that thought as we continue to pull all together … tomorrow.