Genesis 6:1-22, Matthew 3:7-17, Psalms 3:6-8, Proverbs 1:29-33 

OT: “When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky — for I regret that I made them.” Noah, however, found favor with the Lord.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-8‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It’s easy to read and write about the “happy” parts of the Bible: the promises of blessing and reward. It is not so easy to read and write about the negative parts of the Bible. No one wants to hear about the consequences of not following the Lord’s ways – they just want to hear about the promises. Well… there are negative promises in the word as well. Yet, even in the negative and “ugly” parts of scripture, I still see God’s mercy, compassion, and unrelenting faithfulness to His covenantal promises. This passage is no different. If you look at the Hebrew language in this passage, you see that humanity’s ever-increasing trend toward wickedness grieved God, and it both pained Him and angered Him. That is the heart of a righteous Father: consequences for poor choices must be allowed to occur – but it pains you at the same time to see the children you love suffer the consequences. In this passage you see God’s justice, but you also see His unrelenting faithfulness to the promise He made way back in the Garden of Eden – and he found a worthy man to carry forth the promise in Noah. God found a way to be just and faithful at the same time.

NT: “And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Through the old covenant with Israel, God intended to fill the earth with His glory as the nation of Israel served as a nation of priests reconciling all of mankind to God. By and large, Israel forfeited that call and chose to be more concerned with elitism and status than mercy and grace. That didn’t stop God in His unrelenting faithfulness to see salvation come to all the world. Though the axe was being laid at the root of the Old Covenant, and New Covenant was being established that would be open to all who place their faith in God and live according to His will, word, and ways. God would remain faithful to His promise to mankind in spite of mankind’s tendencies toward unfaithfulness. He made a way even when the way appeared to be closed.

Proverbs: “Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.”” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:29-33‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The consequences of rejecting God’s wisdom are destruction – either in this life or the life hereafter. It’s not God’s desire – it is the way that path leads. It grieves and pains God to see His creation choose go that way. But if you choose to walk in God’s wisdom and submit yourself to His leading, you can live securely and without fear – because even though God’s way may lead you through dangerous and challenging times, His wisdom, and leadership, and grace will bring you out the other side alive.

Genesis 5:1-32, Matthew 3:1-6, Psalms 3:1-5, Proverbs 1:24-28

Psalms: “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭3:3-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

David wrote this psalm when he was fleeing his son Absalom. It was probably one of the most tumultuous times of his life. His son staged a rebellion and was seeking to kill him. Some of his most trusted friends and advisors forsook him. He was run out of his home and was hiding out in the wilderness. It seemed that all of his world was crashing down upon him – and the cause: his own infidelity and sin. Yet, in the midst of all that turmoil, David said that he was able to lie down and sleep. How was that even possible? His trust was in the Lord. His faith wasn’t just a religious belief system that he mentally ascribed to. No, he truly placed his complete trust in the living God that he had come to know so intimately. He truly believed in God’s mercy that was new every morning. He was confident that, because he was clean before the Lord and trusted in Him completely, that the Lord would protect him and preserve him, no matter the challenges he faced. The same can be true of us today. If we truly place our trust in the Lord and not worry, we can – even in the direst of circumstances – lay our head down at night and sleep peacefully because we are in and under the mighty hands of the true and living God.

Genesis 4:1-26, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalms 2:7-12, Proverbs 1:20-23

OT: “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The word for accepted actually means exalted or elevated in rank or character. When Abel offered his obedient sacrifice, he was elevated by the Lord. The same could have happened with Cain, had he worshipfully sacrificed to the Lord in the same way. Instead, Cain offered what was acceptable to him and he opened the door to sin… and sin had its way with him. Cain could have repented, and he would have received the grace to overcome the sin – but he didn’t. By being unrepentant and remaining in his own strength, he allowed sin to have its full work in his life, leading him to murder and a life of constant turmoil and strife.

Psalms: “I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession… So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2:7-8, 10-11‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Implied here is that the Son (Jesus Christ) has asked the Father to give Him the nations as His inheritance. Therefore, all the nations ultimately are His. The wise way would be for the rulers of the nations to submit to and thus rejoice under the leadership if the King of Kings… but that would require humility. The psalm goes on to say that those who do the wise thing and take refuge under the King of Kings – they will be happy. Side note: If the nations are Christ’s inheritance, and if those who are in Christ are joint-heirs with Him, then the nations are our inheritance as well. If I step into a nation, and I know that the nation is my inheritance, how does that change my perspective? Do I treat that nation and it’s people differently? Do I care for and honor that nation the way I care for and honor prized heirlooms?

Proverbs: “Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares. She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates: “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge? If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:20-23‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Wisdom is not secretly hiding in the corner trying to be elusive and only available to the elite enlightened few. Wisdom is out in the broad daylight shouting at the top of her lungs for all to hear. The apostle James wrote that if we need wisdom, ask for it, and it will be given liberally. Wisdom is available for anyone and everyone. And if we choose the way of wisdom, we will be given the grace to walk in it. God will not only show us what is right and wise – He will give us the ability beyond ourselves to actually do it. The challenge is that most people don’t want to do what is wise even if it is in the street screaming in the most obvious way. They would rather do what they want – live the way they want – cater to their preferences and comforts – satiate their immediate desires – preserve themselves instead of humbling themselves and taking the way of wisdom. Lord, by Your Spirit, grace me to choose the wise way: worshipfully submitted to Your word, will, and ways.

Genesis 3:1-24, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalms 2:1-6, Proverbs 1:10-19

OT: “Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’? …No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves… The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them. The Lord God said, “Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:1, 4-7, 21-23‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The “art” of temptation: First Satan came in the form of a serpent. He rarely reveals himself as the source, but comes as a less menacing, familiar voice… sometimes it’s our own voice. Then he uses suggestion to plant a seed of doubt… “Did God really say?” Then he maligns God’s character by saying that God is not truly good – but is after His own interests more than He is yours. Now that you have taken the bait to doubt God’s word and question His character, you are now open to use your own understanding since you no longer trust God’s. All you know is what you see, for you are no longer walking in faith… so whatever looks good or even feels good, you ingest. The word “know” here is an experiential knowing… an intimate knowing. Mankind was not created to experience and become intimate with evil. Mankind was made to receive and live on the good that flows from the Father of life. In becoming familiar with evil, man cut themselves off from God’s flow of life and began the process of dying – left alone to fend and provide for themselves with limited resources and limited wisdom and understanding. Notice also, how immediately after falling for the temptation, the man and the woman were both ashamed – and tried to cover up their sin. How many times do we rationalize or try to find natural reasons for why we do the things we do – and cover our behaviors or thoughts or desires… at least in our own mind, so that we don’t have to come face to face with the fact that we have given ourselves over to death and are dying. The only way to get back on the path of life and to have the shame and guilt taken away is for God to do it through the sacrifice of His Son. Just as God clothed the man and the woman with skins, when we place our faith on Christ, He clothes us with His perfect sinless Son and gives us His life.

Psalms: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One: “Let’s tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of us.”” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Ever since mankind gave himself over to self-rule, he has viewed God’s will and God’s ways as oppressive chains instead of life-giving instructions and guidelines. Ultimately it is all in vain. If you live on this world, you are subject to the laws put in place by the Creator. The laws of nature… God’s. The laws of physics… God’s… the laws of mathematics… God’s. You can spend your life fighting against, or you can surrender your life to and live in harmony with… but you will never escape the good and perfect will and ways of God.

Proverbs: “My son, if sinners entice you, don’t be persuaded… my son, don’t travel that road with them or set foot on their path, because their feet run toward evil and they hurry to shed blood… but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives. Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who receive it.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:10, 15-16, 18-19‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Don’t follow the way of unrighteousness, no matter how enticing it may be – for though you may think you are preserving yourself, you are actually setting up ambushes for yourself that will ultimately lead to death.

Genesis 2:4-25, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalms 1:6, Proverbs 1:7-9

NT: “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” …When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:18-21, 24-25‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What a great example Joseph is of someone who truly walks righteously. There was nothing conventional about his response the the situation he found himself in. Worldly wisdom would have told Joseph, once he found out about Mary’s condition, to save his own reputation at Mary’s expense and openly condemn her for her apparent indiscretions. But he didn’t do that. Instead he cared more for her reputation that his own. When he found out that the child Mary was carrying was truly divine, worldly wisdom would have told him to reject the responsibility for the challenges would be far to costly and would ruin any chances of him making a name for himself. Instead, Joseph laid down his rights and entitlements and fully embraced everything God called him to do, no matter how challenging or costly. Thank God for Joseph, and for the “Josephs” of the world who walk the way of the righteous, even to their own hurt.

Psalms: “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Delighting in the Lord’s ways places us under His hand of protection, provision, and promotion. Though the way that he leads us in may be wrought with challenges and dangers, we can be sure that He will lead us through it all and come out the other side stronger, more mature, and eternally blessed. If we choose to reject God’s way and go our own way instead, that way will ultimately lead to ruin – either in this life or in the life to come. As harrowing the path ended up being for Joseph as he chose the Lord’s way, the Lord watched over him and his family, and delivered them all from harms way – providing for their needs as they went.

Proverbs: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Fear has to do with honor and respect, not the terror kind of fear. When we honor, respect, and hallow the Lord, we place His ways above our own… we give more credence to His wisdom than our own or that which comes from the world. When we fully accept God’s ways and receive His understanding – that is the beginning of true knowledge. Despising God’s ways, wisdom, and teachings is foolish – especially when you consider that by shunning His ways, you are rejecting the wisdom that comes from the Master Designer and Creator of it all. Why would anyone reject a sure thing for advice from someone who, in the scheme of things, is just making things up as they go. The wise way is the Lord’s way of righteousness.

Genesis 1:1-2:3, Matthew 1:1-17, Psalms 1:1-5, Proverbs 1:1-6

OT: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light… Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:1-3, 26-28‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The earth was formless (chaotic, confused, a wasteland), empty, and covered in darkness. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light – no more confusion and chaos, no more emptiness, and no more darkness. Then, into that renewed and reordered place God created mankind – in His image – to bear His image and be His representative, maintain the order He established, and cover and fill the earth with His radiant glory. What a word to start off the year with! We are called to bear God’s image and enter into dark, chaotic, confusing, futile and empty circumstances and situations, and fill them with God’s kingdom order and God’s glorious light by God’s Holy Spirit that dwells within us. 

Psalms: “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The Hebrew word translated as delight is the word chephets. Chephets is something that is highly valued that you desire over anything else and make your primary pursuit. If, instead of taking the advice of the world and living your life the way everyone else does, you highly value and singularly pursue God’s will and ways, then you will be happy and blessed, you will never run dry, and your life will continuously produce good fruit. Americans are all about pursuing happiness. If you truly want to pursue happiness, then pursue God and happiness will pursue you.