January 5. Promises & peace

Readings Gen 8:8-10:32, Psalm 4:1-8, Prov 1:10-14, Matt 4:21-5:12.

Genesis
8:13 God establishes a promise by apparently creating a new natural phenomenon of a rainbow. There is a great deal of significance about clouds in Scripture. We even read that the strength of God is in the clouds (Ps 68).

20-25. Here we can see that wine is an ancient fruit of the soil and Noah evidently drinks too much & removes his clothing. I'm not sure why Ham's actions result in a curse, but perhaps he was drawing attention to his father rather than covering up his shame like the other two. Often we take delight in mishaps which happen to others, instead of providing the support which should come out of brotherly love for each other.

Chapter 10. This list of names is very significant because it shows how the earth was re-populated after the flood. Some of the highlights here are in v 2&3, the sons of Japeth - these names are mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy about the end times in Ez 38 & 39.
Nimrod in v 8 became the founder of nations such as Babylon & Nineveh which feature significantly in Israel's history.

Psalm
This would be a great psalm to read before we go to sleep. It is almost like a lullaby. God really does care for us to this level of detail. Nothing makes Him happier than when we have complete trust in Him, enough that all that is on our mind is left in His care. It is only God who can do this, many turn to other things such as alcohol or relaxation techniques, but only God can give real gladness in our hearts & only He is the basis for a peaceful mind.

Proverbs
Be careful who we associate with. This sadly includes other Christians who are more easily led in to sin. If we share in their compromise, our defence will be weakened & we will be more easily tempted. It can sometimes appear that those who live unholy lives have more success (and this is often the source of envy within us) but it is the prosperity of our souls which is the only thing which will have eternal value.

Matthew
4:23. The gospel of the Kingdom & the signs and wonders were inseparable. This is why the crowds came to Jesus, not to hear His words but because they had need for the miracles. In verse 24 we read they brought to Him those who were afflicted, diseased, in pain, the demon possessed, the epileptics & the paralysed. He healed them all.
If we have the same power within us as Jesus & the authority that went with it, surely we too should be the light on a hill which draws people with needs to us. Peoples needs today have not changed!

5:3 The poor in spirit is NOT a sign of weakness! It is actually a strength and is where our faith is such that we give ourselves entirely into God's hands. It is the same principle as we have in Psalm 4.

v6. The principle here is that God is looking for us to be hungry & thirsty for Him. We should never be satisfied in our walk with Him. We should want to be more & more like Jesus. Do we really have that hunger & thirst?