Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

Genesis 6:11-22 (NRSV)

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

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Reflect

The days are getting shorter and the nights longer as each day takes us deeper into winter. All around us is an atmosphere of pregnant expectancy. The trees tell it all. They have been stripped of their leaves and their glory. They seem to stand in salute, their hands raised in praise and surrender to their marker.

It was a time of waiting for Noah, too. The world, created good, had become corrupt and violent. Seems like the story of our days. Waves of violence vibrate from our homes to the wider community. Threats of terrorism are real. What will become of our homes, our communities, our nation? Is this the end? God had determined to destroy the world. Noah, a righteous man, waited in expectation. God promised to save Noah, his household, and all who would enter the ark. In return, God only expected Noah to trust enough to build the ark, although there was little to prove that the rain would come. This must have been challenging, yet Noah obeyed.

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Pray

Gracious and merciful God, grant that, like Noah, we may learn to hold fast to your promises, as we await the coming of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Go with God.