Sudden and Thorough

Sudden and Thorough

Genesis 7: ¹⁷ Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. ¹⁸ The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. ¹⁹ And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. ²⁰ The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. ²¹ And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. ²² All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. ²³ So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. ²⁴ And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.

 

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GOD told Noah HIS plan of salvation of mankind. Satan thought he had won by ruining human by tempting them to eat from the Tree id Knowledge. Every human was born with a sin nature and very few walked with GOD. The plan was to save humans from total destruction through eight people. Evil thoughts prevailed and, though GOD walked amongst HIS people, they may have blamed HIM for casting them out of the luxury of the Garden of Eden.

 

When GOD shut the door on the ark, it was too late. HE made it rain so fast and HE also broke apart the ground so forcefully that no living thing could even think about the ark. The rain fell in measures never seen before or since.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was very patient with humanity, but once that patience ran out, judgement was executed.
• GOD allowed people to do whatever they wanted to do, but that had a limited time.
• GOD had a plan to save humanity from total antihalation and HE executed HIS plan as promised.

 

In modern days, monsoons happen in some regions. This devastating rain can cause floods and wash away manmade structures. Same with tsunamis. Water was used by GOD to break apart the earth and to destroy anything that was tainted by Satan’s pride. Violent collections of animals, and luxurious living was all washed away.

 

Nothing was left that humans could take credit for. The water flowed twenty-two feet above the highest mountain and lasted about half a year. GOD’s salvation is just as sudden, thorough and powerful. HE can and will save those who seek HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the lengths of time that it rained and that the water remained?
• Are you in a season that feels like it is raining all the time?
• Can you place your thinking on GOD’s wonderful plan HE has for you so HE can pour out HIS blessings on you?

End of the Line

End of the Line

Genesis 5: ³² And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

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Nine generations from Adam, Noah arrives on the scene. “And Noah” indicates to me, that this list is now complete and something else is about to happen. Thousands of years had passed and now the world was populated in two distinct ways, those who called to the LORD and those who did not. Satan thought he won by making all humans sin. But he did not know JESUS had a plan.

 

My Observations:

• GOD preserved the lineage of CHRIST by walking with people, never leaving them alone.
• Noah had three sons after he was five hundred years old.
• GOD’s plan of redemption included Noah’s family.

 

Seeing the plan of redemption makes the list of people more understandable. GOD seemed to want us to know why HE cursed creation in the first place. Not that HE needed to explain things to us. HE revealed the pride of Satan, his lies and deceit and the affects they had on mankind.

 

GOD graciously used the best of the worst to save humans and provide eternal life. When I say “worst” I mean, there is no human without sin, not one. Even our best efforts have sin in them.  We were born with it. But some will “cry out to the LORD” asking for help with the sin nature caused by Satan. Noah is the beginning of that story.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD end the genealogy dictated to Moses with Noah?
• Where are you with your walk with GOD?
• Are you being distracted into fear causing you to overthink GOD’s love for you today?

Acquired Skill

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

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“Impossible” I said. I mean this task placed in front of me was way too hard. The person tried explaining it to me and even showing me but I still could not see how to do this humungous feat. I acquiesced to try again. I got on the bike and rode past 4 maybe five houses this time! Maybe I can do this!

• Sometimes life seems difficult.
• Sometimes life seems hard to master.
• Sometimes life can have tasks that seem impossible.

JESUS was and is the ultimate teacher. As the boat was tossed about, HE laid silently asleep on a pillow. These skilled fishermen had seen storms before and probably knew of people who had died in similar squalls. “Don’t you care?!” is a familiar exclamation I use to GOD when times get tough and it is the same question the disciples used.

• JESUS says to me “I AM teaching you little by little to have faith in ME.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not focus on the storm, focus on ME.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM right here so do not worry.”

After reading this passage in the past, I thought JESUS was a little unreasonable. I mean this is a life threatening crisis, “Why aren’t YOU sending out legions of angels to save the people who follow you?” is my first thought. JESUS says “I AM not worried” IS your lesson.

JESUS knows more about the situation than I do. HE knew the storm would not harm the disciples and the storms of life cannot harm me. Somehow, through all the worry, fretting and doubting, JESUS has ALWAYS come through. HE wants me to grow up to accept HIS way of doing things and grow my faith as an acquired skill.

• Are you worried, fearful and doubtful?
• What has GOD brought you through in the past?
• Is GOD trying to mature you by appearing to be asleep during your crisis?
• Will you calm down for a moment to observe how HE can sleep even though HE is getting wet in the waves of life with you?