Thursday, January 3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2019


"The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the LORD said, 'I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created -- and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground -- for I regret that I have made them.' But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." (Genesis 6:5-8)


Genesis contains some fascinating revelations about the heart of God and the heart of man. Having created Adam and Eve in His image -- and yet having seen them abandon His calling for them quickly -- God allows several generations to populate the earth and follow His creation mandate. The progressive generations' lifespans grow shorter in sequence, and God ultimately determines that human lifespans should last 120 years or so. Moses recorded this truth about 3,500 years ago, and he matched that lifespan to the year. Even with modern medicine, 120 years appears as the threshold of life capacity, just as the Words reveals here.

As the Scriptures testify, God has been orchestrating a plan of redemption from the moment of the Fall. That plan takes a circuitous turn in Genesis 6, in the account of Noah and the Flood. God's patience for human sinfulness had run thin, as God recognizes that "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." Positive philosophers might disagree with the totality of this statement, but it is impossible to deny the evidence of sin, both in the world and in our lives.

Sinfulness rots even good intentions from the core. Sin creates hurt and loss. We can prolong its pain by hitting back or projecting our pain onto someone else. Sin brings dysfunction and relational separation. Most importantly, it separates us from the loving relationship with God that He first intended. In today's passage from Matthew, we read about Jesus's example of fighting temptation with the powerful Word of God, which Paul calls the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17).

God selects Noah as His designated representative to bring healing and to begin anew. Even before seeing the oncoming rain, Noah follows God's instructions, which may have caused his friends and neighbors to mock him for building a massive boat on dry land.

We understand from this passage and throughout Genesis that God's heart does grieve over sin. He longs for a re-connection with us and will take extraordinary means to achieve it. Those who seek Him, they will find Him and experience joy and purpose in their connection with Him.

How have you resolved to honor God in 2019? How will you seek Him today?


Lord God, thank You for making relationship with You possible through the shedding of Jesus's blood, which overcomes our sin. Thank You for Your great grace and mercy towards us, which we do not deserve. Thank You for forestalling judgment against us and our world and giving people opportunity to hear Your voice. Give us clean hearts and a ready willingness to seek You in 2019. We love You and honor You today. In Jesus's Name, amen.

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