Scripture Text for Today: Genesis 8:1-9:17
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As I read Genesis 8:1 to 9:17, a number of memories and experiences surfaced. In these verses, Noah has experienced the great flood, and it has receded. Periodically, he sent out a dove to determine if the earth was dry and able to sustain his family and the various animals that were aboard his ship. Patience was shown by Noah, and he trusted God to tell him when the earth was able to sustain habitation.
Often in my life I have become impatient, and more often than not it has added stress and anxiety to me and to those around me. As time has passed, I realize that the result that I was anxious about resolved itself in its own time. My impatience was maybe even impeding the outcome. Working through situations thoughtfully, calmly, intelligently, and trusting God helps to resolve situations that one feels the need to conclude quickly.
Other verses state that after the flood God promises not to ever again destroy every living thing—-while the earth exists, the seasons will come and go, and the appearance of a rainbow will be a sign that God will keep His promise.
As I grew up on a small farm filled with livestock, gardens, and crops, I experienced first hand the bounty that God offers to us each day. Each season was greeted with great anticipation, from the cold, snowy, often somber but somehow beautiful winter days, emerged a renewal of another generation of animals, another season of fruits and vegetables to can and freeze, and another harvest to safely secure. Each day the early morning sunrise was to be enjoyed, but it was also met with a purpose, and that purpose was to fulfill the opportunities that God had given us for that day. At the end of the day and as darkness descended upon the land, each of us in our own primitive way gave thanks to Him. Each season, each passing day, we were always reminded of His grace, His mercy, His promise.
In the verses, it also states that with the emergence of a rainbow, it was to be a sign that He was keeping His promise of continued seasons of continued life. On the first anniversary of our son’s death, we were in Pennsylvania visiting the various sites. As I often do, I arose at the fist sign of light and went on a leisurely walk, and as I walked, the sky was absent of clouds—completely blue, except for one relatively small cloud in the southwest corner of the heavens. In close proximity of that cloud, a rainbow suddenly appeared in a direction that such a phenomena does not often occur. As I walked and watched that special scene, it gave me comfort that, at least to me, God was speaking and telling me of His promise and assuring me that our son was with Him in His Kingdom.
Devotion Provided by John Christopher