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FEBRUARY 1
Genesis 5:1-2 - This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God make he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
Thought: The relationships between men and women are strained in our society. The lines of demarcation between male and female are being blurred. God never intended this to happen. He created both male and female. He desired for them to live in harmony. He established the marriage bond for their happiness. Genealogies depend upon God's order and design between the sexes.
Ephesians 5:22-33
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FEBRUARY 2
Genesis 5:3 - And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.
Thought: The old saying goes, "Like father like son." So often this is true. Many sons bear the physical characteristics, emotional expressions, and idiosyncrasies of their birth father. Too, the child's inner man often resembles that of the father. If the heart of the father is pure, so is the child's. If it is evil, the child often follows suit. This is a sobering thought. Dear parent, what image does your child bear? Is he merely mirroring your example?
II Kings 22:1-2
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FEBRUARY 3
Genesis 5:5 - And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
Thought: Eight times in this single chapter one reads the words, "and he died." It matters not how many years one may live, the inevitable end is death. It matters not whether one is rich or poor, death will come. It matters not whether one is red, or yellow, black, or white, death will succumb him. One day it will be said of us, "and he died." What will matter most at that time is how we lived.
Hebrews 9:27
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FEBRUARY 4
Genesis 5:22 - And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
Thought: The expression "walked with God" symbolizes the type of life Enoch lived. He walked in harmony with God's will. He walked in fellowship with God. His life was exemplary and well-pleasing in the sight of Jehovah. With whom are you walking? We exhort you to join hands with the Giver of life, both physical and spiritual life.
Amos 3:3
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FEBRUARY 5
Genesis 5:24 - And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Thought: Some have noted that as Enoch walked with God that day that God said to Enoch, "Enoch we are closer to my home than yours. Why don't your just go home with me today?" What a blessing. Enoch did not have to taste of death. Most will never receive such a gift, but all can go home with God eventually! The key will be whether we are walking with Him.
Micah 6:8
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FEBRUARY 6
Genesis 5:27 - And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty years: and he died.
Thought: Methuselah was the oldest men to have ever lived. He lacked thirty-one years from one millennium. We will never live to such an age. The psalmist declared that seventy or eighty years will be the average age of most. Quantity of years is not so important. Quality of our years, that is, how those years were spent is most vital. How have you spent your time thus far? How will you spend the remainder of life?
Ephesians 5:16-17
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FEBRUARY 7
Genesis 5:29 - And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed.
Thought: The curse of the Lord upon the ground was still fresh in the minds of the antediluvians. In some manner, however, Noah was to bring some comfort to their work and toil of physical labor. Though known for the ark and the flood, Noah had other purposes to serve also. God, too, has many purposes for our lives. They may be served in secret, or, may be renowned. Whatever may come, let us serve to the utmost.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
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FEBRUARY 8
Genesis 6:1-2 - And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Thought: Two lines of men had sprung up upon the earth. One was righteous; the other was ungodly. Being influenced by the daughters of men, the sons of God would soon deteriorate. Here we find in important lesson of choosing a godly mate. Both partners can and will influence each other. Often times, the bad out do the good. Better would be two mates influencing each other in the things of God.
Ephesians 5:22-25
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FEBRUARY 9
Genesis 6:3 - And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.
Thought: Through the preaching of Noah, God's spirit was calling sinful man back to God. Man, however, strove against the Spirit's pleadings. They loved sin and darkness too much. Therefore, God set the time of judgment. He has also set the time of judgment on our world. The Spirit calls. What will your answer be?
Revelation 22:17
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FEBRUARY 10
Genesis 6:5 - And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Thought: Thoughts and actions go hand-in-hand. "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." With evil thoughts evil behaviors like those of Noah's day occur. Pure thoughts, on the other hand, lead to holy actions. Thus, Scripture calls us to think on things which are above, the high, the holy, the pure, and the noble.
Philippians 4:8
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FEBRUARY 11
Genesis 6:8-9 - But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Thought: The grace of God is not just a New Testament concept. God's grace was provided in the lives of Old Testament characters. Without the unmerited favor of God, no man can obtain salvation. In Noah's day, the salvation was from a flood. Today, God's grace saves us from eternal destruction in hell. Obtain God's grace, dear reader, and live.
Titus 2:11-12
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FEBRUARY 12
Genesis 6:12 - The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Thought: That old world seems similar to our world today. Corruption and violence rule. Wars. Gangs. Drive-by-shootings. Racial killings. Rapes. Spousal abuse. Child abuse. School violence. Movies, videos, and television programs. Violence and corruption are everywhere. What is needed is a ray of light, a sprinkle of seasoning salt, and a touch of love to relieve some of the bitterness.
Matthew 5:13-16
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FEBRUARY 13
Genesis 6:14-15 - Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
Thought: Noah's ark was built in harmony with a pattern given by God. The tabernacle was also erected according to God's pattern. Patterns have always been used by God. Today God has patterns for things such as the church, the plan of salvation, and worship. Only those patterns given by God will "float."
Hebrews 8:1-5
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FEBRUARY 14
Genesis 6:22 - Thus did Noah, according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Thought: Noah's faith moved him to complete obedience to the commands of God. When God commanded gopher wood, Noah used gopher wood. When God commanded three stories to be build within the ark, Noah put three stories therein. What God commanded, Noah sought to accomplish, no more, no less. This obedience brought him salvation from the flood. In like manner, our obedience must be full and complete. Salvation also stands at the end of our faithful compliance with God's commands.
Hebrews 5:8-9
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FEBRUARY 15
Genesis 7:1 - And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee I have seen righteous before me in this generation.
Thought: "Come." This has been God's call to humanity since the sin in the garden. Man departed from God at that time. God continuously calls him to come back. In the ark, Noah found safety and peace. He also found the presence of God. Too, there was freedom from the struggle with sin. Jesus calls for the weary and heavy laden to come to Him. Rest and fellowship with God awaits.
Matthew 11:28-30
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FEBRUARY 16
Genesis 7:4 - For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty night; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
Thought: Then end was drawing near. Judgment was soon to come upon all the world. Just seven days had to pass. The world knew not that judgment was nigh. They were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage. How close is judgment to our world? We know not. It could be closer than we think. How are you living?
Matthew 24:36-44
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FEBRUARY 17
Genesis 7:5 - And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.
Thought: We are reminded again of Noah's complete obedience to the will of God. Surely he had questions. Surely the tasks seemed great he was asked to perform. Surely the rest of the world looked upon him as foolish. Yet, Noah did all God commanded, nothing more and nothing less. Let us set our minds to be just as obedient. No, we are not asked to build an ark, or, gather animals. But we are asked to do other "foolish" things.
Revelation 22:14
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FEBRUARY 18
Genesis 7:7 - And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
Thought: Here we read about the fruits of a faithful father. II Peter 2:5 refers to Noah as "a preacher of righteousness." Noah attempted to get the world to hear him, but they did not. He did save his family, however. He taught them. He lived faithfully before them. He did not succumb to the pressures of the world. And they all entered into the ark, safe from the waters of the flood.
Ephesians 6:4
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FEBRUARY 19
Genesis 7:11 - In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Thought: The promises of God are true. One hundred twenty years had passed since God first pronounced His sentence upon that evil world. Surely most thought the promise to be a hoax. It was no hoax. The rains came. In addition, the fountains of the deep were opened up. It was worse than could be imagined. The world was going to perish.
II Peter 3:7-10
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FEBRUARY 20
Genesis 7:15-16 - And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.
Thought: It was the Lord who safely secured the door of the ark. When the door shut, the ark was airtight. There was no harm going to come to the faithful who were inside. The Lord was watching over them. The Lord continues to hold the faithful in His hand. They are secure from the threat of harm.
John 10:27-29
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FEBRUARY 21
Genesis 7:17 - And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.
Thought: The same waters that destroyed the wicked lifted up the craft which carried the faithful. These waters also cleansed the earth. They transported the faithful to a safe destination. It is not surprising that Peter referred to these waters as he considered the act of baptism. They, too, cleanse and transport one from evil of the world to the safety of the family of God.
I Peter 3:20-21
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FEBRUARY 22
Genesis 7:21-22 - And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: all in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land died.
Thought: God's judgment is thorough and comprehensive. No one escapes it. God had been patient. He had given man many years to repent. Man continued in defiance and rebellion. God's judgment finally came. No one outside the ark escaped "in whose nostrils was the breath of life." God's final judgment awaits. He continues to be patient, calling sinful humanity to repent. But, when it comes, it will be comprehensive. There will be no escape.
II Thessalonians 1:7-9
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FEBRUARY 23
Genesis 8:1 - And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God make a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged.
Thought: Had God forgotten Noah during the flood? Absolutely not! The flood had to take its course, however. Once the waters covered the earth, God could now continue His plans with his faithful. If it seems as though very little is happening in your life, it could be that some things must run their course. God will remember us. He will work His plan for our life.
Psalm 136:23
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FEBRUARY 24
Genesis 8:15-17 - And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
Thought: Here we find Noah entering into a new world. The old sinful world was destroyed. A clean pure world was before him. Humanity was being given a new start. What a wonder-ful thought. We, too, can have a new start. We can be born again. The old man of sin can be put off. We can become new creatures in Christ. In addition, a new start can be ours each day as we confess our sins and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
II Corinthians 5:17
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FEBRUARY 25
Genesis 8:18,20 - And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him...and Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Thought: Noah expressed his gratitude to God for his deliverance by building an altar and offering burnt offerings to God. Our lives should also be spent in giving offerings to God for the deliverance He has given us. We should offer the sacrifice of praise, the sacrifice of
good works, and our bodies as a living sacrifice.
I Peter 2:5
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FEBRUARY 26
Genesis 8:21 - And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Thought: Noah's act of worship had an impact upon God. He resolved never to destroy the living as He had done. We, too, can impact the heart of God. God sees our reverence. He hears our words of praise and adoration. He feels the sincerity of our heart. He is well-pleased with our worthy sacrifices. He is influenced and acts on our behalf.
Acts 10:1-4
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FEBRUARY 27
Genesis 9:5-6 - And surely your blood of your lives will I require at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Thought: Human life is a precious thing in the sight of God. Man is made in the image of God. To take a life is reprehensible. Those who treat human life indignantly, are worthy of death themselves. Those who commit murder, who are involved in abortions and euthanasia, are modern-day culprits who do not treasure the value of human life. God is the giver of life. Only He has the right to take it.
Genesis 4:8-12
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FEBRUARY 28
Genesis 9:12-13 - And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Thought: A covenant is an agreement between two parties. Here God establishes a covenant between Himself and the world of Noah's day and all who follow thereafter. The beautiful bow in the cloud after a rainstorm continues to remind us of God's promise, "...neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth."
Genesis 9:14-17
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