Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 2

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

Psalm 8 reflects the truths found in the first 3 chapters of Genesis: the sheer power and majesty of God in creation and his gracious and merciful provision towards humanity. David encourages the reader to acknowledge the great joy and honor of contemplating and basking in the infinite goodness and admiration one should have for God when recognizing all that he has done, all that he has bestowed on mankind.

(Job 7:17; Habakkuk 3:3; Matthew 21:16; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:5-8)

These words of wisdom from King Solomon seem to adamantly warn and advise against the very deceptions and temptation of sin. To obtain even the smallest portion of knowledge means to understand God’s authority and hold him in the greatest of reverence. The term fool is reserved for those who mock the very visible evidence of God and exchange it for their own opinion of what intelligence is. For only the Creator of the heavens and earth could possess such divine truth and wisdom.

(Job 23:15; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 55:8-9)

Mankind continues to grow increasingly wicked, which brought the holy and perfect God great pain and grief. As we have already seen in previous chapters, with sin comes great judgement and death. But in His sovereign grace and mercy, God continues to save his people. Just as all scripture does, the story of the Great Flood (Noah and the Ark) points us to Christ. The scoffers and haters of God and His goodness shall be judged and wiped from the earth, but those who honor and live by faith in God will be rescued from such calamity and saved according to his good will and pleasure. God blesses Noah because of his faith and uses him and his family to ultimately reconcile his creation. Once again, this paints a precise picture of God’s provision of Christ for humanity.

(Matthew 24:37-39; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-22)

In this chapter, as seen with the specific measurements of the ark in the previous, there are many precise and intentional numbers with which God shares and directs Noah. God is very much calculated and willing to give specific detail and precise direction as a loving Father. If we will follow, the Lord is more than capable and willing to guide and direct us with his divine power and precision. In verse 16 we are told that the Lord shuts the door to the ark, sealing Noah and his family inside. This is another powerful display of God’s hand in salvation. Just as we are chosen, called, justified, sealed in Christ; it is undeniably the work of God, not man. This section of scripture has become an amazing point of apologetics. There are over 200 cultures across the world and throughout history that confirm a global flood, not to mention several archeological findings: such as, aquatic fossils found in mountain peaks high above sea level and the recent remains discovered on Mt. Ararat.

(John 10:9; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 2:8)

The covenantal nature of God bookends this chapter. Verse 1 opens with the fact that God “remembered” Noah, his family and all of the animals within the ark. God acknowledged his vow to them and kept it. He had given Noah and his family instruction, pledged that he would save them as the remnant of creation and he did so. At the end of the chapter God is seen making another covenant or pledge to mankind: never to flood the earth again. The Creator of the universe keeps his promises and he alone can be trusted absolutely.

(Genesis 9:8-13; Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:15)

Ten generations after Noah, by way of his son Shem, we find Abram: a pagan from Ur of the Chaldeans. Abram and his forefathers must have heard stories about Noah and his faith in God, which saved him from the global flood. Yet, Abram worshipped many false gods as per the culture of those days in Mesopotamia. It is clear that the Lord placed his unconditional love upon Abram as he called him out of his sin and chose him to make an everlasting covenant that would bring spiritual blessing to all peoples and nations. Abram will continue to make a series of missteps as he tries to assist God instead of trusting his guidance and providence. Abram thought that he could save himself and his wife Sarai by pretending to be her brother. However, his plan backfired and only brought embarrassment and ridicule as they were sent away by the Pharaoh. Sometimes we all try to go ahead of God and save ourselves rather than trusting that the Lord will provide and protect according to his will.

(Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 1:17; Romans 4:13; Galatians 3:7-9)

Because it had not yet been fulfilled, Abram voiced his doubt and frustration with God concerning the promise of a great lineage. How could Abram become a great nation if he had no children? In Abram’s mind the only answer to God’s promise of a family would be to adopt a servant in their household. Quickly the Lord rejects this hopeless idea and reminds Abram that He alone is his divine protector (shield) and provider (v.7). In a great display of God’s sovereignty, He puts Abram to sleep and alone performs a powerful ceremony to ratify His covenant to Abram. There was no part to play by Abram, but only the work of the Lord to bring about this promise. It was God alone who passed through the severed animal sacrifices as he dictates the details and specific boundaries of the land that will be delivered to his descendants.

(Jeremiah 34:18-19; Romans 4:17-21)