Bible Reading: Genesis 8 | Matthew 8 | Psalm 8
Devotional for January 10, 2025
Reading: Genesis 8 | Matthew 8 | Psalm 8
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Genesis 8
Genesis Eight completes the flood narrative. The promise of deliverance is demonstrated when Noah and his family are brought safely from the ark (8:15-19). There is a strong connection between this chapter and that of Creation Week. Given the numerous parallels, some scholars see the entire flood narrative as a recreation. For instance, God’s command to be fruitful and multiply was given to Adam and Noah. Chapter Eight contains the Noahic Covenant (8:20-22), promising never to strike down the earth again. That is a significant promise and points directly to the promise of the New Heaven and the New Earth.
Applications:
Whatever God promises to do, he will do. We see that in Noah's life throughout the flood narrative. He promised to save Noah and his family, and he accomplished that promise.
God's recreating work through the judgment of the Flood demonstrates God’s hatred of sin. Though man is sinful, God promises to recreate the earth again in the New Heaven and the New Earth. It will be fashioned without the possibility of sin. The reversal of mankind's fall has started.
Matthew 8
Matthew 8 presents Jesus’ ministry through two main sections. The first section highlights Christ's mercy ministry as he cleanses a leper, heals many, and casts out demons. In these verses, we see the Son of God's power over the forces of evil and sin. We also note Christ's compassionate nature towards those impacted by the effects of the fall. The second section is instructive regarding following Christ.
Interestingly, that section is in the middle of the chapter, surrounded by his healing work. We must see following Christ as vital to our lives. We do not follow him merely because of what he can do and his power over sickness, death, demons, or the weather. We follow him because of who he is—the glorious Son of God.
Applications:
Jesus holds power over sickness and disease. He also has authority over the forces of evil and the weather. Therefore, we can trust him to guide and direct our lives.
Jesus is a Savior of great compassion for people trapped by the effects of sin and evil. Meditate on this aspect of Christ as given to us in this chapter.
Psalm 8
Psalm 8 is a “wisdom poem” that highlights God's majesty in creation. The psalm begins and ends the same way: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” It has four stanzas.
8:1-2
This stanza frames the psalm and highlights its purpose: emphasizing God's majesty. Too often, we miss this because we are too busy with other things. We are easily distracted by the constant pull of the tyranny of the urgent to stop and consider the majesty of God as he displays it to us in his creation. Perhaps it would do us good if we stopped, looked, pondered, and praised God for what we witness in creation each day. There are many things to observe that should move us to praise the God of heaven.
Second, David highlights this praise from the mouths of the most unlikely: infants. The psalm starts with the most basic of humans—children, specifically, “out of the mouths of babies.” The simple truth is that their cries and most basic behavior bring honor and glory to God, who made them.
8:3-4
The scene shifts from babies' mouths to the vastness of the heavens. We know so little about the universe God created, but what we know and see is a display of God’s power and might. Yet, God is mindful of us! He uniquely made us. We are the works of his hands, made in his image.
8:5-8
This section (combined with 8:4) directly refers to the Lord Jesus (See Heb. 2:6-8).
8:9
The psalm ends where it started: in praise to the God of heaven. Our lives begin with praise (infants) and should be lived in praise daily, and they should end in praise to the God who made us.
Applications:
Slow down your life and look at what God has made. Meditate on that display of his majesty and praise him for his might, power, and beauty.
Slow down and consider the smallest of humanity: our infants and children. Take note of how they praise God, often putting adults to shame.