GENESIS 9:1-7
Reading: Then God blessed Noah and his
sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number
and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall upon all
the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every
creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of
the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives
and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants,
I now give you everything. (Genesis 9:1-3)
Time: Approximately 4000 BC
Characters: Noah
Place: Middle East
What's Happening: Noah blesses Noah.
Prayer
Dear God,
It's amazing that you gave the earth back to Noah and his sons
(and ultimately to all of humanity). Our sin had caused the destruction
of the earth and all its inhabitants and now you offered it all
back to us. Like a mechanic, you tuned it up then turned it over.
My life gets to be a mess at times. Sometimes I wonder if I can
drive my destiny. I cause accidents and fender benders with people
all around me, but you like to tune me up then turn my life back
over to me. You are a God of grace. You are always giving me more
chances than I deserve. You have confidence in me that once I
follow you, in the righteous ways of people like Noah, I can truly
take over the world. If it were up to the world, my license would
be taken away. I'm a danger to those around me! You've given me
the license to live and live I shall!
ADDITIONAL PRAYER
"I need a tune up in the area of…"
"I am reckless in the area of…"
"I want to drive my life better by…"
GENESIS 9:8-17
Reading: I have set my rainbow in the clouds,
and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears
in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you
and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters
become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears
in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant
between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
(Genesis 9:13-16)
Time: Approximately 4000 BC
Characters: Noah
Place: Middle East
What's Happening: Noah establishes a covenant with Noah.
Prayer
Dear God,
When you make promises you keep them. You even give us visual
reminders of those promises. To put a rainbow in the sky and say
this is the promise that you won't flood the earth holds you accountable
to your word. What's interesting about the rainbow is it occurs
after the rain. That means during the rain we must have faith
in the promise, then after the rain you remind us that you kept
your promise. When I go through a trial, I have to remember your
promises: that you'll always be with me, always provide for me,
always love me. It might not be until afterwards that I receive
the visual reminder: a check in the mail, a job or the appearance
of a long lost friend. A rainbow is a confirmation of your promise.
Faith believes the promise during the crises, then sees the promise
after the crises.
ADDITIONAL PRAYER
"The weather report of my life is
sunny/cloudy/stormy…"
"I am looking for a rainbow because of…"
"I have seen your rainbow before you kept the promise to…"
GENESIS 9:18-29
Reading: Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded
to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became
drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan,
saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside.
(Genesis 9:20-22)
Time: Approximately 4000 BC
Characters: Noah
Place: Middle East
What's Happening: Noah sins.
Prayer
Dear God,
Noah was a righteous man. Out of all the people on earth, God,
you picked him to lead humanity and the animal kingdom to safety.
But righteous does not mean perfect. It's not that Noah was "the
best you can find" and you were stuck with him. He really
exhibited all the qualities you needed. However, he failed too.
Noah got drunk one night and found himself naked in his tent,
totally exposing himself-not just his skin, but all this emotions
and frustration and stress for years building a boat. It comforts
me to know that the characters of the Bible were not perfect.
They showed tremendous faith and sacrifice when asked to be obedient.
Their lack of perfection allows me to identify more easily with
them. I can be righteous too. I don't have to be perfect.
ADDITIONAL PRAYER
"I'm not perfect…"
"I strive for righteousness in the area of…"
"Thank you, perfect God, for using imperfect people like
me…"
