FIRMAMENT

Genesis 1:6-8 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

INSIGHT -In Hebrew, firmament is written as raqia & means sky, expanse, heaven. -In Psalm 29:3, The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. John 3:5, Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 4:14, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” -Heaven separates the waters above & waters on earth. Thunder sounds when it is raining. Spiritual cleansing & baptism involve waters.

PRAYER: Give us water that springs up into everlasting life, Jesus; so that we will never thirst. Cleanse our hearts & minds with Your word & renewed Your steadfast spirit within us. Amen

Genesis 1:14-15 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.

INSIGHT -John 1:1-5, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 8:12, Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. -Through The Word/ Light / Christ, God made lights (sun, moon & stars) in the sky to define day, night, signs, seasons, days & years. Though the Word/Christ we see the light.

PRAYER: You are the Light of the world, Father, lead us so that may not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Amen

Ezekiel 1:25-26 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

INSIGHT -Ezekiel saw a vision of open heaven where Jerusalem was to be destroyed. Above the firmament; over the heads of the cherubim was a likeness of a throne & the likeness a man high above it. Whenever the voice came the cherubim stood still & let down their wings in reverence to the One above the throne. Christ was clothed with fire with a great brightness of the glory of the Lord with a likeness of rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day all around; symbolising the covenant of mercy (Gen 9:16). -Above the firmament is the throne of God.

PRAYER: Jesus our Savior, have mercy on us & forgive us all our sins. We praise You, glorify You & give You thanks now & forever. Amen

Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

INSIGHT -In Prov 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Eph 5:17, Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. -We are called to fear God, do His will & turn many to righteousness so that at the end of time we can shine like the stars & brightness of the firmament.

PRAYER: May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Father. Give us the gift of wisdom to know what we ought to do & to do it to the best of our ability. Amen

John 1:50-51 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

INSIGHT -Jesus assured Nathanael that he would see angels of God ascend from earth to heaven & back to earth upon Christ; meaning some angels are God’s messengers. That dream occurred to Jacob in Gen 28:12-13. -Firmament is also called heaven/ divides waters below from waters above/ has lights (sun, moon, stars) formed from Light/ God’s throne is above it/ the wise shall shine like the firmament.

PRAYER: You sit enthroned as King in heaven forever, Lord. Let us see more of You in our daily lives & experience Your love always. Amen

Our Father who at in heaven; hallow be thy name………

Please meditate on the theme; Firmament.