Weekly Devotional: July 1, 2026
GOD’S WORD
Genesis 1:3; Psalm 33:6-9; John 1:1-4; II Corinthians 4:6; Isaiah 55:11-12
DEVOTION BY
Major Cindy Corbitt
Assistant Territorial Personnel Secretary
DEVOTIONAL
PICTURES FROM NARNIA – CREATION
“Morning has broken, like the first morning;
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning;
Praise for them, springing
Fresh from the Word!"
-Eleanor Farjeon, Song #44, The Salvation Army Songbook
LET THERE BE LIGHT
There is a moment in The Magician’s Nephew, part of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia masterpiece, that feels like holy ground. Digory and Polly, frightened and uncertain, find themselves standing in a world that does not yet exist. Everything is darkness and emptiness until a voice begins to sing. At first it is soft, distant, almost too beautiful to bear. Then it grows louder, richer, layered with harmonies that seem to vibrate through the very air. And as the song rises, the darkness breaks. Stars appear. Light spreads. Grass pushes up from the soil. Trees burst into life. Animals awaken. A world is born. And at the center of it all is Aslan, the great Lion, singing creation into existence.
C.S. Lewis crafted this scene as a reflection of the biblical creation story, and it captures something profound: God creates not with strain or effort, but with joyful authority. His voice is enough. His word is power. His breath brings life.
Scripture gives us the picture this way: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” — Genesis 1:3
God speaks, and reality obeys. There is no struggle, no battle, no resistance. The universe responds to His voice like an instrument tuned to His pitch.
Psalm 33 echoes this truth: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made… For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” — Psalm 33:6, 9
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD
Lewis’s depiction of Aslan singing creation is a poetic way of showing what Scripture proclaims: God’s Word is creative, powerful, and life-giving. And then John’s Gospel reveals the deepest mystery of all: “In the beginning was the Word… Through Him all things were made… In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:1–4
The Word is not merely a sound. The Word is a Person — Jesus Christ. One of the striking things about Aslan’s song is its joy. It is not just a utilitarian command; it is a celebration. Creation flows from delight.
Many people imagine God as distant, stern, or reluctant. But the creation story, both in Scripture and in Lewis’s imaginative retelling, shows a God who delights to create, delights to give life, delights to bring beauty into being. Creation is not an accident. It is not a burdensome labor. It is an overflow of divine joy. That includes you, and it includes me.
NOT OBLIGATION BUT LOVE
We were not created out of obligation. We were created out of love. God wanted us; God delighted to make us. We are the result of His intentional, joyful creativity.
In the story, Uncle Andrew cannot hear the beauty of Aslan’s song. To him it is only noise because his heart is closed. He is too consumed with fear, greed, and self-importance to recognize the wonder unfolding before him.
This is a sobering reminder. The condition of our hearts determines how we perceive God.
Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Not everyone hears the music of God’s presence. Not everyone recognizes His voice. Not everyone sees His glory in creation, His mercy in daily life, or His truth in Scripture.
But for those who are willing — even trembling, uncertain, imperfect — the song becomes unmistakable.
A NEW BEGINNING
The creation of Narnia is not just about beginnings. It is also a picture of new beginnings. The same God who spoke light into darkness speaks into the darkness of our hearts. Paul writes: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts…” — 2 Corinthians 4:6
Isaiah even spoke of this truth when calling the Israelites to return to God. “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you.” (Isaiah 55:11-12)
The God who created the world is the God who recreates us. He brings order where there was chaos. He brings life where there was death. He brings beauty where there was brokenness.
Aslan’s song is a reminder that God is still creating. still renewing. still speaking life. Maybe you feel like Digory — standing in a place of uncertainty, loss, or fear. Maybe you feel like the world around you is dark and empty. Maybe you feel like nothing good can grow from where you are, but creation begins in darkness. Life begins in emptiness. Hope begins in the places that feel most barren.
GOD’S WORD STILL SPEAKS
God’s Word still speaks:
“Let there be light.”
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
“I am with you always.”
The same voice that sang stars into existence speaks over your life today. Can you hear it?
Lord, open my ears to hear Your song.
Where there is darkness, speak light.
Where there is chaos, bring order.
Where there is fear, sing peace.
Where there is brokenness,
create something new.
Let Your Word shape me, renew me, and fill me with the life that comes only from You. Amen.
“Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning,
Borne of the one light Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, Praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!
-Eleanor Farjeon, Song #44, The Salvation Army Songbook