Stay Close To God
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 8 and Genesis 9; Psalm 7 (NIV)
(Lyn Tan , Archivist)
READ:
Genesis 8 and Genesis 9; Psalm 7 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Genesis 8
“But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” (v1).
The opening verse in Genesis 8 offers a reassurance that God does not forget those who obey him. In this instance, it was Noah, a blameless and righteous man who walked with God (Gen. 6:9). He had done everything just as God commanded (Gen. 6:22).
Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.” (v.15-16).
Noah’s continuing actions as the waters receded demonstrate a posture of patient waiting on and obedience to a God with whom he had a close and intimate relationship. He stayed inside the ark till all signs indicated that the earth was completely dry.
In Genesis 9, while God blessed Noah and his sons with everything and established an everlasting covenant with them, He also warned them not to kill another human being as he would demand an accounting for the life of their fellow man.
APPLY:
The world we live in today is probably not very different from Noah’s. There is still much wickedness, envy, pride, and hate. Obeying God is challenging because there are so many distractions that take our focus away from Him. Sin continues to abide in us.
For Noah, it came down to being the only one standing for God when all others had fallen by the wayside. It meant being able to stand firm by his convictions and to stay close to God, being obedient in the face of opposition.
Waiting for God to say the word can be a severe test of one’s patience that many (myself included) can identify with. But God is all-knowing. We can trust in His good and perfect will as we strive to obey Him.
One more lesson to learn is that God’s blessings are there for those who obey Him. But there will also be an accounting for those who disobey. With God, justice will be served.
DO:
- I will strive to build and strengthen my relationship with God so that I am able to stand firm in the face of opposition and unbelief.
- In this new year, I will try to be more engaged in programmes that will help me in my spiritual journey.
- I will wait on the Lord even if it means doing nothing, for His timing is perfect.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your grace, despite the many times that I have strayed away. I seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to lead me and keep me on the straight path so that I can stand firm and not fall by the wayside. Put the spirit of patience in me and help me to be obedient to follow your will. I pray in Jesus’ most precious name. Amen.
