Today’s Bible Reading: Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4; Proverbs 1:20-23
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Another Genealogy. This time the descendants of Noah. And what did I notice as I took time to read them? That the descendants of Ham settled some very familiar places, not because the people were faithful to God, but rather enemies. In this list we find Babylon, Sodom, Gomorrah, we see the Philistines, the Hittites, the Amorites and many more that will become big players in the story of Israel. Ham was Noah’s youngest son, of whom it is recorded in today’s reading how he disgraced his father and tried to get his brothers to participate in that dishonor. The two older sons however would not partake in the sin of their brother. You can read all about it in Genesis 9:20-27. I think we have another glimpse into the lives of people who choose to live apart from God. It is not easy to contemplate the result our actions may have on future generations.
What really strikes me today however, the thing I hear God saying to me, is found in Matthew where Jesus begins calling His disciples. First, He comes to Peter and Andrew as they are casting their nets into the sea: “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Then He finds James and John in a boat with their father and He calls out to them to come too and this is their response: “Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:22) It is the response of the disciples that I am focused on. Their immediate response to Jesus. They left everything they knew-their comfort zone so to speak-and immediately responded to Jesus by following Him. They didn’t get distracted by anything else-their lives were now to be totally entwined with Jesus’. And I wonder about me? Do I leave everything comfortable to follow Him? Do I jump up in the morning to spend time with Him? Because He is the best thing in my life. Do I love to sit at His feet and listen to His word? Because His words are life for me. Am I too in love with the world to leave it all behind and follow Jesus? Not tomorrow, but today, this very moment. I call myself a follower of Jesus, but do I live like one? Do I live like He is the Lord of my life? Do I really let Him have complete control over my life?
May grace, peace, and mercy from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ be upon you dear reader.
Debra
What really strikes me today however, the thing I hear God saying to me, is found in Matthew where Jesus begins calling His disciples. First, He comes to Peter and Andrew as they are casting their nets into the sea: “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Then He finds James and John in a boat with their father and He calls out to them to come too and this is their response: “Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:22) It is the response of the disciples that I am focused on. Their immediate response to Jesus. They left everything they knew-their comfort zone so to speak-and immediately responded to Jesus by following Him. They didn’t get distracted by anything else-their lives were now to be totally entwined with Jesus’. And I wonder about me? Do I leave everything comfortable to follow Him? Do I jump up in the morning to spend time with Him? Because He is the best thing in my life. Do I love to sit at His feet and listen to His word? Because His words are life for me. Am I too in love with the world to leave it all behind and follow Jesus? Not tomorrow, but today, this very moment. I call myself a follower of Jesus, but do I live like one? Do I live like He is the Lord of my life? Do I really let Him have complete control over my life?
May grace, peace, and mercy from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ be upon you dear reader.
Debra
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