Today’s scripture: Genesis 9:1-17 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Stephanie Morgan):
These verses include some wonderful promises, a covenant, instructions, and even an explanation of the sign of the rainbow reminding us of that covenant! Wow, that’s a lot! While reading through these verses, however, my heart melted as God used a particular verse to remind me that the Lord will take care of me in the midst of every situation. I was reluctant to share how it touched my heart, but after much prodding from God I have decided I should share in hopes that it will be a blessing to someone.
Have you ever had to struggle in life? I mean really struggle? Of course you have, we all have! No matter how hard we try, it just doesn’t seem to be good enough. I wonder if God allows us to go through things so that we can develop some empathy in certain situations.
There have been certain times in my life when I felt pretty comfortable financially compared to the average person in the world, and I’ve had other times where I didn’t feel so comfortable. Admittedly, in the past I didn’t really understand what it felt like to need help from outside sources for material things. I would even say that I may have even been a little judgmental in certain situations where others were concerned. I’ve learned to look at the person standing on the street corner and asking for help and think to myself that could be me.
Life … it’s really crappy sometimes. There are horrible things that people face in life, and some days we all wonder what else could possible go wrong. My wife and I have had quite a few of these days lately.
As I was reading through these verses, God reminded me that the Lord will take care of me. I was in a completely different place in life this time when I read that passage. In Genesis 9:3 (NIV), God says, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” Before, that was just another verse in the Bible. But this time when I read it, I was waiting. I was in a place that I wasn’t accustomed to, a place of need. We were wondering how to have enough money to keep a roof over our head, lights and heat in our home, and food on our table. I saw that God was taking care of me, feeding me, just as God did for Noah and his family. I began to weep as I was reminded of God’s faithfulness. Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV) says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” In that very moment, the God of the universe reminded me that I too was important, even though I felt lowly. It wasn’t the way I would have previously chosen to provide for my family, but in that moment, it was where I needed to be. I needed to be reminded that God will provide.
We get caught up in the luxuries of life that so many of us have become accustomed to, and sometimes we forget just how blessed we are. Everyone has a different idea of what they would consider desperation. To some my family might seem very privileged, to others we are considered to be in poverty. Regardless of how anyone sees the situation, it has been a place of humility, lowliness, humbleness, and gratefulness all wrapped up in one for me. It was God stepping in and reminding me that the Lord will take care of our needs and provide the nourishment for our bodies. I truly have been grateful for the things I have learned in this situation. God is always by our side, even when can’t feel it. God is always there to provide.
Thought for the day: God, help us never to forget how you bless us daily with basic needs that too many in this world have to go without. Let us always remember just how graciously you provide for each of us!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.