Meditation

06/27/2022

“The Lord then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood.” (Genesis 7:1. 7)

In the midst of a generation corrupting God’s world, Noah and his family were found faithful enough to be spared the judgment of destruction by flood. After the waters receded, God established His covenant with Noah and his family. This covenant reaffirmed the creative intent of God for humans and included a new and powerful declaration of the value of the created in the image of God. Accepting covenant relationships with God by families is central to God’s requirements throughout the Old Testament. It finds its ultimate fulfillment in the acceptance of the covenant of grace in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, we are at times so unfaithful to You in our covenant relationship with You, and even in our own relationships with family, friends and neighbors. Let us be ever vigilant in maintaining our relationships, and nurture them regularly. Keep us mindful to avoid taking others for granted; remembering to assure those we love that we appreciate all that they do. If we do not show our appreciation for others, especially our families, it is like rust on metal, and will eventually breakdown. In our daily conversations with family and friends, help us to remember just how much we appreciate taking care of their room, their chores, and the many positive things they do every day. Today we continue to pray troops serving in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, that a peaceful solution might be found and let the fighting be silenced. We also pray for those who are suffering in body, mind, and/or spirit, with friends, family, for those we don’t know. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“It you really want to cast a big shadow….Stand in God’s light!”

KNOWING GOD:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods you forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of he Amorites, in whose land yo are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

I AM:

“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who falls to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands. They will not toll in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by he Lord, they and their descendants with them.” (Isaiah 65:20-23)

Family renewal was one element of God’s promise to Judah when the people would return to Him in renewed covenant devotion. The text describes family values in Hebrew thought: absence of infant mortality, long life, secure homes, rewarding work, and many descendants. Basic to all of this is the continues presence of God, who hears and answers prayers of His people. God’s plan centers on family relationships on this earth. Eventually, in the eternal family of God, the Small family unit will not be needed.

2ND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“On the eighth day they came to circumcise child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No!’ He is to be called John.’” (Luke 1:59-60)

The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 17:1-8) demanded circumcision of males as the seal of the covenant (Genesis17:9-14). Naming the child in accord with family lineage was performed at the circumcision ceremony. Thus, the attendants were surprised when the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth was named John rather than a family name. Mary and Joseph fulfilled the same law of covenant in the circumcision of Jesus (Luke 2:21). In this act, the parents accepted covenantal requirements as well as obeying the special instructions of God’s revelation to each family.