May 1 at sundown - Day 32
Today is day 32 of counting the Omer
Today is day 32 out of Egypt
Today is day 32 of Messiah Resurrected
God’s Mercy at Work (Genesis 7:11-23)
11 In the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day, all the water sources of the great deep burst open, and the windows of the sky were opened.
12 Then there was rain upon the land 40 days and 40 nights.
13 On that same day Noah, along with Noah’s sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah’s wife and the three wives of Noah’s sons with them, entered the ark,
14 they and every animal according to its kind, and all the livestock according to its kind, and every crawling creature that crawls on the land according to its kind, and every flying creature according to its kind, every bird, every winged creature.
15 So to Noah and into the ark they went by twos—all flesh in which was the spirit of life.
16 Those that came, male and female of all flesh, came just as God commanded him. Then Adonai shut him in.
17 The flood was forty days upon the land, and the waters increased and lifted the ark, so that it rose above the land.
18 The waters overpowered and became very mighty over the land, and the ark drifted on the surface of the water.
19 The waters completely overpowered the land so that all the high mountains beneath the entire sky were covered.
20 The waters rose 15 cubits higher, as the mountains were covered.
21 All flesh perished—those that crawl on the land, the flying creatures, livestock, wild animals, all creatures that swarm upon the land, and all humankind.
22 Everything that had the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrils—everything on dry land—died. 23 So He wiped out all existence that was upon the surface of the ground, everything from people to livestock, to crawling creatures, and to flying creatures of the sky. They were wiped out off the land. Only Noah and those with him in the ark survived.
Reflect:
Traditionally the 32nd day of the Omer is the day that Noah and his family entered the ark. The days of Noah were marked by apostasy so profound that God could only judge it by destroying nearly every living thing. While this punishment may sound overly harsh we must remember that God is sovereign, and that although He hates sin His desire is to preserve life instead of taking it. He could have easily just pushed the reset button on humanity and started over with Adam 2.0. It is in this passage that we see the chesed, the mercy of God at work. God had a plan for humanity that did not start with Adam and end with Noah, but rather one that worked to redeem all humanity. From Adam to Noah and then from Noah to Yeshua, we can see God faithfully working to redeem creation and restore it to right relationship with Himself. During times of apostasy and what seems like wrath, we must remember that God is working intently to bring about restoration and deliverance to mankind.
Prayer: Lord, help us to know that even in confusing times You are in control. Help us to remember that You preserve the righteous and are willing to pour out mercy on sinners. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
18 The waters overpowered and became very mighty over the land, and the ark drifted on the surface of the water.
19 The waters completely overpowered the land so that all the high mountains beneath the entire sky were covered.
20 The waters rose 15 cubits higher, as the mountains were covered.
21 All flesh perished—those that crawl on the land, the flying creatures, livestock, wild animals, all creatures that swarm upon the land, and all humankind.
22 Everything that had the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrils—everything on dry land—died. 23 So He wiped out all existence that was upon the surface of the ground, everything from people to livestock, to crawling creatures, and to flying creatures of the sky. They were wiped out off the land. Only Noah and those with him in the ark survived.
Reflect:
Traditionally the 32nd day of the Omer is the day that Noah and his family entered the ark. The days of Noah were marked by apostasy so profound that God could only judge it by destroying nearly every living thing. While this punishment may sound overly harsh we must remember that God is sovereign, and that although He hates sin His desire is to preserve life instead of taking it. He could have easily just pushed the reset button on humanity and started over with Adam 2.0. It is in this passage that we see the chesed, the mercy of God at work. God had a plan for humanity that did not start with Adam and end with Noah, but rather one that worked to redeem all humanity. From Adam to Noah and then from Noah to Yeshua, we can see God faithfully working to redeem creation and restore it to right relationship with Himself. During times of apostasy and what seems like wrath, we must remember that God is working intently to bring about restoration and deliverance to mankind.
Prayer: Lord, help us to know that even in confusing times You are in control. Help us to remember that You preserve the righteous and are willing to pour out mercy on sinners. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Restoration, we have made it a priority to seek God first in prayer. During this season of counting of the Omer, we have decided to do this collectively as a congregation in the days leading up to Shavuot. Together, we want to trust in His power to impact our lives, our congregation, our city, and our world. The last 10 days we will encourage a corporate time of fasting and prayer, which starts the evening of May 9 and ends the evening of May 19. The conclusion of this season of prayer will culminate in a congregational picnic on the 50th day, the day of Shavuot - Sunday, May 20 at noon.
No comments:
Post a Comment