I am fascinated with the creation account recorded in Genesis because its largely told from God’s perspective as He communicated it to Moses on Mount Sinai. Where else can you get insight into the heart of God in the old testament? Of course, we see God’s heart best and most clearly in Jesus’ life, ministry and teaching in the new testament! But, here in Genesis, the depravity of man is on full display- murder, adultery, evil- but something else too. Man seeks his creator, because while sinful, we also are innately ‘worshippers’. “Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord”. Wow! What a dichotomy. The same is true for the human condition today. We are evil (Jesus said so- “if you being evil, know how to give good gifts, how much more, my Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit” Matthew 7:11), but we are also imprinted indelibly with the stamp of God upon us. Made in His image. we are free moral beings who may choose to worship our creator or reject Him and let sin reign in our mortal bodies, minds and hearts. What a choice. What power we have. What responsibility we carry!
Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.” To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:25-26 NASB Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land… Genesis 6:1a NASB Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:5-6 NASB
How can I choose to worship God today? What evil lurks within me, crouching, ready to spring forth? Which man will I be, the new or the old?
God, as this day begins- I am reminded from the history of the world that You are holy and filled with grace. May I too find grace (as Noah did) in Your eyes. Thank you for saving me from the evil within and making me a new creation in Christ. I choose to live according to Your will and Your ways. Help me reach out beyond myself to love someone in Your name today.
