Day 2 + read Genesis 6,8,9

What does God say?

Yesterday we ended with a picture of God’s desire for fellowship, relationship, and intimacy with us. Adam and Eve broke that relationship and by doing so, broke God’s heart.

Genesis 6 begins with God’s heart again. What breaks it this time?

Sin ... again: "5The Lord saw that the __________ of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their ____________ was only evil continually." God’s Word goes on to say that "6the Lord was _________ that he had made humankind on the earth, and it __________ him to his heart."

What does God say about sin?

God reveals his hurt and his heart when he says, "7I will blot out ... human beings."

That’s a word of judgment, isn’t it?

I don’t know about you, but I’d often like to pretend that God doesn’t judge. Therefore, you and I have two choices for how we can respond to passages like this: 1) we can ignore it, saying, "I can’t believe in a God like that," or 2) we can embrace it.

Embrace it? Are you serious?!

Yes, we can choose to say, "God wants a relationship with me so passionately that he hates anything that puts a divide between us."

What does God say to US?

Scripture notes that "6:5every inclination of [those olden] hearts was only evil continually."

Now, I sincerely doubt that every inclination of your heart is evil. Nevertheless, if we’re honest, we may need to admit that our hearts struggle more than occasionally with sin. And we would certainly do well to remember that every sin hurts the heart of the Lord who simply wants a close relationship with us.

Therefore, now might be a good time to spend a few moments confessing your sins ...

What does God say?

Often one of the most hopeful words in all scripture is "but." In this case, we hear that all of humankind was wicked, "8but Noah found favor with God."

Over the next few chapters, God will ask the improbable (perhaps impossible) of Noah. For example, God says, "6:14Make for yourself a 15three hundred cubit long 14ark [and] 19bring two of every kind [of animal] into the ark."

What does God say to US?

Occasionally throughout our life, it may sound like God is asking us some strange, improbable, hard, and unsavory things. The question is: Will you respond like Noah?

Scripture doesn’t waste words on Noah’s obedience: "22Noah did this." What big and improbable thing do you know that God is calling you to do, and how are you responding?


What’s keeping you from just "d[oing] this"?


What does God say?

"18I will establish a ___________ with you."

We are back to God’s desire for a relationship with us again. A covenant is a promise, a contract, an oath, that seeks to formalize a relationship or bond. God promises to protect Noah through the midst of the biggest gullywasher of a trial that humanity has ever known.

What does God say to US?

God wants to forge a bond and relationship with you! What is the greatest trial you are currently facing in your life right now?


How might trusting in the God of the covenant who is with you through the storm, give you more confidence to face this trial?


Let’s end today by giving thanks to the God of covenants and relationships for providing us with everything we truly need in the midst of the storm. (Note: That, in fact, is a powerful way to pray. Praying "God be with me" is good, but an even better prayer may be: "Thank you that you are already with me ... already building a life raft ... already fashioning an escape route ... already setting my feet back on dry ground.")

P.S.

Did you notice how the story of Noah ended? The most faithful man in all the world planted a vineyard, got drunk, and shamed his sons.

No matter how perfect you try to be, you will fail. Let me say that again ... You will fail ... You will fail ... You will fail.

So where’s the good news? It’s in confession. Confession removes the divide between you and the God of relationship who stands ready to throw the life line!