Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Genesis 9:8-17 (NRSV)

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

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Reflect

Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of performing a baptism remembrance service for the first time. In the midst of counseling one of my hospice patients, he said, “Why doesn’t God just kill me now? I don’t know why I’m still here.” This man had lived a hard life, was dying from alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and had plenty of reasons to desire swift judgment. Yet, when at death’s door, it is especially important to remember the gift of life. So, I asked about his baptism. It seemed that he had forgotten the power of God through the water.

The covenant God made with Noah reminds us of God’s power through the water. The flood was a result of humanity’s tendency to sin, which brings chaos to the order of God’s creation. In our attempt to undo what God has done, God turned us over to the chaos we desired. The fountains of the deep erupted and the windows of heaven descended. Yet, after the flood, we see that humanity’s relationship with God has changed. God assumed the responsibility of this covenant. Noah, his family, all living creatures, and all generations to follow are blessed recipients. The power of God through the water is that God desires to live with us another day. There is a future at hand worth sustaining regardless of our potential to live outside of God’s good, creative purposes. In spite of all we’ve done, it’s never too late to remember the power of God through our baptism.

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Pray

God, we thank you for your power over all things, especially your power to preserve life. Give us purpose and wisdom today as we seek to please you in our work. Be patient with us when we forget who you are. Amen.

Go with God.