https://esv.literalword.com/?q=genesis+8
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 8 November 2024:
Genesis 8:3-6 — At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made….
Noah and his family spent 370-371 days on the ark. Here is a timeline: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/biblical-overview-of-the-flood-timeline/?srsltid=AfmBOoqylu-i1dkHGsztKUezlZudjkF6CX1F9to8U4JzaikrNWt4UgnJ
Genesis 8:15-16 — Then God said to Noah, “Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.”
After being stuck in the confined, crowded, smelly, and noisy ark for over a year, Noah still waited for God’s command to leave the ark. How long are willing wait upon the Lord for His direction. It is one thing to obey the Lord when it is difficult for you, but it is quite another thing when obedience to God causes discomfort for your whole family. Noah trusted God’s plan for his family over his own perceptions.
Genesis 8:20 — Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
The Christian life begins with worship, is lived in constant worship, and ends in worship. In ALL things, God gets ALL the glory. Noah began his new life on earth with worship and sacrifice (a tremendous act of faith considering his scarcity of resources). Begin this year in worship.
This costly worship defied all common sense. With only seven of each animal on the ark, it made no sense to sacrifice any of them. However, this costly act of worship was an act of faith in God’s provision; a reminder of the cost of sin, and a symbol of Noah’s commitment to faithfulness and holiness; and a foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and ultimate salvation. It takes faith to make great, risky sacrifices to the Lord. It takes great faith to give and forgive radically. Jesus calls us to be living sacrifices for His glory:
- Romans 12:1 — I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
- Galatians 2:20 — I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Matthew 16:25 — For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
- Luke 9:23 — And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
- John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
- John 15:13 — Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- 1 John 3:16 — By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 8 November 2024: Today, worship the Lord through the sacrifice of loving obedience and selfless service.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 