Today’s WORD (Text) Genesis 9:8-17
8/ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9/ “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10/ and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11/ I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12/ God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13/ I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14/ When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15/ I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh, 16/ When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17/ God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
Today’s Witness
The God of Noah and all the living creatures reflected on what transpired during the historic flood and promised that never again would flood waters destroy all flesh. I am moved by the God of the ancients who was so moved by immense suffering and loss of life as to covenant with humankind and with the animals that God would not permit such a flood again. In our lifetime we have seen the devastation that flood waters can cause. We have seen tsunamis, cyclones and massive floods that have caused the loss of human life and other creatures, in addition to substantial devastation and harm to communities and economies. With the growing impact of climate change on our environment, we have also witnessed losses due to tornadoes, wild fires, and other disasters in nature. The coronavirus pandemic is the deadliest event we have witnessed in our lifetime. The very idea of a natural disaster or flood that could devastate all human life is hard to imagine. Nevertheless, such is the background story to this covenant initiated by God.
Fortunately, our generation is neither called upon nor qualified to assess the damage caused by the ancient flood referenced in the Book of Genesis. However, we are engaged in theological reflection, and informed by all that the Holy Bible tells us about God. Today’s text tells us that God takes note of human suffering and intervenes to alleviate the devastation resulting from environmental disasters. God gave Noah God’s word for all generations, including ours, that never again will flood waters annihilate all of human life and other living creatures. With so much unraveling in our modern world, I find it strengthening to affirm that we serve a God who makes and keeps promises.
Today’s Invitation
When you consider threatening events in nature that concern you the most, what role does your faith in God serve in giving you hope?
Today’s Prayer
Gracious God, so much in our world appears to be unraveling. We see institutions and leaders losing their influence, credibility, and their footing. We continue to witness losses, whether originating in nature or by human means. Thank you for the promises and covenants that you provided us in the scriptures. Thank you for giving your word and then keeping your word. Thank you for loving us and for having compassion on our human condition. Lord, we need you when the circumstances of life threaten to overwhelm us. Stand by us, hold our hand, and carry us when the storms of life are raging. We pray for healing today for all those battling sickness and disease. We pray for all those struggling to survive amid precarious economic and social storms. Bless all your children, in all age groups, and from all walks of life who need to experience your mercy and grace. In the face of all the threats that encompass us in this world, please protect and guide us in keeping with your will, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Jandré van der Walt on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Genesis 9:8-17
8/ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9/ “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10/ and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11/ I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12/ God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13/ I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14/ When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15/ I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh, 16/ When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17/ God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
Today’s Witness
The God of Noah and all the living creatures reflected on what transpired during the historic flood and promised that never again would flood waters destroy all flesh. I am moved by the God of the ancients who was so moved by immense suffering and loss of life as to covenant with humankind and with the animals that God would not permit such a flood again. In our lifetime we have seen the devastation that flood waters can cause. We have seen tsunamis, cyclones and massive floods that have caused the loss of human life and other creatures, in addition to substantial devastation and harm to communities and economies. With the growing impact of climate change on our environment, we have also witnessed losses due to tornadoes, wild fires, and other disasters in nature. The coronavirus pandemic is the deadliest event we have witnessed in our lifetime. The very idea of a natural disaster or flood that could devastate all human life is hard to imagine. Nevertheless, such is the background story to this covenant initiated by God.
Fortunately, our generation is neither called upon nor qualified to assess the damage caused by the ancient flood referenced in the Book of Genesis. However, we are engaged in theological reflection, and informed by all that the Holy Bible tells us about God. Today’s text tells us that God takes note of human suffering and intervenes to alleviate the devastation resulting from environmental disasters. God gave Noah God’s word for all generations, including ours, that never again will flood waters annihilate all of human life and other living creatures. With so much unraveling in our modern world, I find it strengthening to affirm that we serve a God who makes and keeps promises.
Today’s Invitation
When you consider threatening events in nature that concern you the most, what role does your faith in God serve in giving you hope?
Today’s Prayer
Gracious God, so much in our world appears to be unraveling. We see institutions and leaders losing their influence, credibility, and their footing. We continue to witness losses, whether originating in nature or by human means. Thank you for the promises and covenants that you provided us in the scriptures. Thank you for giving your word and then keeping your word. Thank you for loving us and for having compassion on our human condition. Lord, we need you when the circumstances of life threaten to overwhelm us. Stand by us, hold our hand, and carry us when the storms of life are raging. We pray for healing today for all those battling sickness and disease. We pray for all those struggling to survive amid precarious economic and social storms. Bless all your children, in all age groups, and from all walks of life who need to experience your mercy and grace. In the face of all the threats that encompass us in this world, please protect and guide us in keeping with your will, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Jandré van der Walt on Unsplash