Sorry the devotional is so late today. I've been a bit under the weather and had to go to the doctor today for antibiotics, then lunch with Josh, then had to get the meds picked up, and a little nap to try to feel standing tonight.
Genesis 6:8 - But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Genesis 6:22 - Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Genesis 8:22 - "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
Genesis 6:8 - To find favor in the eyes of the Lord...Oh, what must one do? Surely we don't have to be perfect because only one human ever was - Jesus. I try to picture God like I do my human daddy. Dad is very much like a human daddy. He cares for his kiddos. He wants to see them happy, healthy, and growing. He wants very much to be in a relationship with them.
I do not thing Dad plays favorites, so don't let the word "favor" fool you. I simply think it means that Noah made good choices and that made Dad happy. Dad was pleased with him. And, like a human daddy, Dad doesn't expect perfection. He's happily pleased if we do our best and have that relationship with him.
Genesis 6:22 - I sometimes think that "commanded" is a harsh word. And, frankly, I don't always like picturing Dad as a harsh task-master. However, I love the concept of being able to do everything that Dad asks us to do. When we are youngsters, we don't always want to do what our parents tell us to do. However, I have found, that when we get older, we comply. Of course, I think it would be easier to do all that Dad "commanded" us to do if we could literally hear His voice...like a face-to-face conversation.
Still, I know Dad does not expect perfection from me as that is not in my nature. So, I'm more likely to try to comply with His commands out of respect for all He has done and shown me. Also, if I have a good relationship with Dad, I find I am more willing to comply than if I have a bad relationship with Him. I think Dad knows and understands this as well. Remember that He is Love. And His overflowing love will pour down on us. We have the biggest task...same as Noah and his ark...we have to listen to God and obey. Sometimes that can be a shaky thing for us!
Genesis 8:22 - While we don't know how long the earth will endure for, we can be sure that planting, harvesting, cold, heat, summer, winter, day, and night will never go away. For a farm girl like me, that's pretty reassuring. I don't have to wonder if El Nino or El Nina will prevent me from having a hot summer so I can take a cool dip at the lakes...it's GUARANTEED!
There is reassurance in this verse over and over again. Because all the elements that are important to every individual on the earth are mentioned in that short verse. We all care about one aspect or item on the list and, again, I find it reassuring that these are GUARANTEED as long as the earth endures.
Am I anxiously awaiting the "New Jerusalem"? You betcha! I can't wait for no more heartache, pain, tears, and the emotional rollercoaster we humans live with each day. It wouldn't be so bad if I was happy all day or maybe not bad to have just one emotion tugging on me during that time. But that is not how we were designed! We are emotional beings and I'm just waiting for the ride to end....at least that's how I feel today! =o)
Below are links to a couple of Bill Cosby's parodies on Noah's ark. They make me laugh each time I hear them because I'm sure I'd act in a similar manner if God spoke to me where I could clearly and concisely hear with my two ears. I hope you like them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bputeFGXEjA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tt_YpvwrFg
Enjoy!
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