The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 9:1-17 (day two)  

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” vs. 1

120 years, can you imagine? Some 120 years after the original instructions were given, Noah steps off the arc and begins to walk in the dawn of the covenant promise of God. Noah remembers God by sacrificing the clean animals, and then God blesses him and his his family. Noah got ‘job well done’ pat on the back from God for seeing this work through. God does not forget us. He wants to show us his favor and shower his blessings upon us, but have we been faithful with what he has given us to merit a blessing? Our families, our jobs, our lives, do they speak of the sovereign grace of our Lord? He will not forget us, we should not forget him.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 9:1-17 (day one)

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed.”–v 6.

Disembarking,Noah and his family entered a new world.  Empty of people and animals (except those on the Ark), it was a new chapter.

Some things were the same.  God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” remained in effect.  The sinfulness of the human heart was still present.  See 8:21.  (Especially instructive because it now referred to Noah and the members of his family)

Some things had changed.  A new covenant gave assurance that God would never again destroy the world in universal judgment. Not, at least, until the end of time.  “While the world remains” says 8:22.  See also 2 Peter 3:7.  In place of His direct intervention, God also gives the responsibility to men to protect human life.  He institutes capital punishment.

Every war, every police officer is a reminder.  Romans 13:4.  In this new world, the deterrence to unjust force will be just force.

 

Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day seven)

Q–Does the Bible teach a universal, coming day of wrath?

A–Yes (2 Peter 3:3-11)

Q–Did our Lord warn of this same event?

A–Yes (Matthew 24:27-51, many others moments)

Q–Did Jesus compare people in His day (our day) to those in the days of Noah”?

A–Yes (Matthew 24:37-39)

Q–Is salvation portrayed in scripture as salvation from the wrath to come?

A–Yes (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Q–Do most people believe in coming wrath?

A–No

Q–Did most people in Noah’s day believe in wrath to come?

A–No

Q–Is the ark a type/picture/shadow of salvation in Christ?

A–Yes. (1 Peter 3:21)

Q–In what ways was the ark similar to salvation in Christ?

A–Provided by God, accessed by faith, only one door, had to be entered, God closed the door.

Q–“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”–Hebrews 2:3.

A–There is no answer to this question.

Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day five)

Over many years of Student Ministry, I have heard students echo these thoughts:  “I am the only Believer in my class”,  “I am the only Christian on the team”,  “I am the only Follower of Christ in my section”.   I also hear adults declare the same dilemma.  “I am the only Believer in my office.”  “I am the only Christ Following parent on our team.”  Noah and his family knew this same feeling.  Genesis 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.”  We often feel isolated and alone in our faith because of a culture that has become “Post-Christian”.

There is encouragement found in Genesis 7 for “righteous” (that comes from a relationship with Christ) people who “walk with God” (in step with His Spirit).

God PROTECTS believers.  If we have the Lord and follow Him, our souls are safe.

God PROVIDES for believers.  If we trust God and His love for us, we already have what we really need.

God REMEMBERS believers.  He is always aware of our circumstances and our condition.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day four)

Why do so many seek to discount the message of Genesis?  Why do they question the account of creation?  Why do they try to limit the scope and impact of the flood?  It is a tactical attack!  In order to destroy a complete system of belief, the focus must be on the elimination of the foundation of the structure.  If the foundation crumbles, everything above it collapses.

It was Satan’s original attack in the garden.  He cast doubt on the truth of what God said.  “Has God said,…you will not surely die.”  His attacks are the very same today.  If we question the truth of God’s Word, then how can we believe anything that God says?  With no authority over us, we can then decide for ourselves what is truth.  How can we trust Him for our salvation?  Do we even need salvation?

In Genesis 7, the world came to that conclusion…they could do what they want.  It did not work in Noah’s time…it sure won’t work today either!

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day three)

“Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.”  The images of a smiling Noah in his floating petting zoo adorning the wallpaper of many a toddler’s room will fade away when we consider for a few moments the actual account of this family’s journey through the deluge.  For instance, the family members conceivably kept personal possessions during their voyage.  But the culture from which those possessions had come was gone.  They had not only lost everything, they had lost the frame of reference for everything.  This family could not rely on any of those markers of place.  The only thing that remained the same was a person: God.  They restarted the human race from that eternal reference point.  What can you and I do when we begin with God?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day two) But God remembered Noah…8:1a

Have you ever received a promise from God only to have to wait to have it fulfilled? How long did you have to wait? A month, a year, 120 years….probably not. God choose Noah and gave him instructions that came with the promise of salvation amidst destruction. Noah continued to believe and trust that promise. 40 days and 40 nights of rain may seem insignificant to 120 years of building an ark, but I would imagine there were some questions during the deluge. When will the rain stop? Will we ever see land again? God doesn’t forget. He knew all along the trial that Noah would have to endure. When then time was right the promise was fulfilled. If God makes a promise, you can bet not matter how long it rains, he will keep his word.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day one)

“In the last days mockers will come. . .saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning.’ (but what they forget is) the world was (before) destroyed with water. . but now. . .is being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgement and the destruction of ungodly men.”–2 Peter 3:3-7

Noah was Peter’s favorite story.   He refers to it over and over in his letters.  I don’t know whether you believe in God’s coming wrath.  Peter absolutely did.  He learned this conviction from Jesus.  Saw it illustrated in Noah.

For Peter, the ark was no cartoon or children’s story.  It was a sober symbol of God’s holiness and patience and judgement and salvation for those who believe!

The happiest (and holiest) people I know believe in judgement.  It warns them.  Helps them.   Do you believe in the wrath to come?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 6 (day seven)

“He was made alive in the Spirit; in which He (Jesus) also went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient. . .in the days of Noah. . .in which a few. . .were brought safely through the water.  Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you”–1 Peter 3:18-21.

The ark was a well known symbol in the early church.  A story of salvation from wrath, of a remnant, of separation from lost society.

Peter makes one comparison and one contrast.  Comparison–In Noah’s story (and Jesus’) God is making proclamation to spirits (people) who either were, or will be, in prison for their unbelief.  Salvation is always provided by God and received by faith.  Contrast–Noah was saved from the flood (judgement).  We are saved through the flood (baptism) by dying to self and joining life to Christ.

What is the Spirit of God saying as you read the story of Noah?