Know God - day 2

Text for today is Genesis 6, 8, 9.


(I like to use Blue Letter Bible online for a variety of translations and study tools.)


Genesis 6:5-6 - The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart [thoughts] was only evil all the time. (6)The Lord was grieved [pained, repented] that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

We did it again. Humans just like to break God's heart. Don't we?

According to Pastor, this sin made God say, "I will blot out...human beings." Scary. He can squash us like a bug if we irritate Him enough.

Then Pastor asks how to respond...1) ignore it. 2) embrace it.

What do we do? Ignoring this hasn't gotten us anywhere in the past. Stick our head in the sand, continue being evil and wicked. How long will god tolerate this? How long can we tolerate ourselves? Even when I am surrounded by the wickedness that seems to be everywhere, I wish I could shut my eyes to it. But we can't. We have to trust God and embrace HIM and allow him to embrace you. Not the evil. Not the wickedness. Not the sin. (yes-easier said than done. If you are pot then I am kettle - Hi.)

Pastor states, "God wants a relationship with me so passionately that He hates anything that puts a divide between us."

Hmmm...time for confession to help mend the divide.

-please help me forgive Dr. C. for Luke's death. I still harbor anger and resentment almost 6 years later.
-please forgive me for the words that are not edifying to you - especially the ones spoken in front of my children. Sometimes they slip right out and can be so hurtful.
-please forgive the anger that stews inside. and sadness. and envy.
-and all the other wrongs that you know in my heart. I don't deserve it, but I still long for it. Please forgive us.

Pastor says the most hopeful word in scripture is the word 'but'. That struck me. 'but' is usually followed by something you really don't want to hear to do. "I'd love to help this weekend, but..." "Your kids were great, but..." In this case it is good 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. whew...Noah was there for us! but god asked him to do the seemingly impossible and made him look like a crazy lunatic in front of his friends. I can hear it now...Really God? A boat? Here? that big? Really??? ...ok...

BUT :)

6:22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him. (I wonder if there was complaining, griping, gnashing of teeth - like a 6 year old.)

'Will you respond like Noah?' Have I ever? Not really. It's scary. It is impossible. That is why God asks us to do it, I guess. What big and improbable thing is God calling me to do? Honestly, I don't know. Or maybe I do and am too scared to even think it, much less type it.

When I moved from the beaches of SC to central MT in late December, I knew I was following God's plan. Otherwise I was just plain crazy. My little sentra was packed to the gills. It was sleeting when I left my parent's house (a rarity!) and I had snow and sleet for the entire trip. I had little money, one friend there and no job. That was big and improbable, but then (and now) it seems so easy.

Much easier than releasing control. Much easier then letting a spouse that is not as strong spiritually make major decisions and keeping your mouth shut. Much easier than turning off a tv show or radio station you know you shouldn't watch/listen to. Much easier than admitting that you are alone. parched and hungry. needing spiritual care. reaching out...

My own self is what is keeping me from this. My own mixed up, human mind. Dang free will!

Then God goes and says, 6:18 'But I will establish my covenant with you...' He still wants a relationship with us!?!?!? Maybe HE is the mixed up, crazy one...BUT I doubt it.

I can't currently name the greatest trial I am facing in my life right now. (If you can, please put it in the comment section! Sometimes I have trouble seeing my own life clearly).

How can trusting in the God of the convenant give more confidence? How can it not?? However, being human, I struggle with the trust issue. and the giving up of control.

Pastor ends by suggesting we give thanks not by just praying, "God be with me." (I hope he is always with me!) Instead pray, "Thank you that you are already with me. building a life raft. already fashioning an escape route. already setting my feet back on dry ground."

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Pastor then points out how Noah's story ended. With shame. Noah failed. We all fail. We will keep failing. and we need to confess and continue confessing. No one said this was easy and without pain, did they?