WALKING AWAY – And It Came to Pass Devotionals

AND it CAME to PASS DEVOTIONALS
TUESDAY – December 30, 2024 – Prepared by Pastor Calvin Cook

WALKING AWAY
Genesis 6:5-8 (NIV) The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

As you open to chapter 6 in Genesis in the King James version the words “And it came to pass” opens the chapter with an explanation of the downfall of humanity. The continuing verse explains the frustration God had with humanity. Think into the heart of God. Everything was created and given to humanity. A type of easy living was created until sin entered the picture. Here we see in the early verses of Chapter 6 that sin and sinful lifestyles were the common practice of the people. Of course there was Noah who is one of the few, I believe only one of two who is said to have found favor with God. (Correct me if I’m wrong – the other being Mary the earthly mother of Jesus.)

Jumping to the 5th through 8th verse – this God frustration had led to a radical plan the next generation hopefully back to what was important. A love for God, respect for God, and following God’s ways. As we know the story of the great flood, building of the Ark, rescue of living creatures to repopulate the earth, and so much more – read the story for yourself in Chapter 6 Genesis. Only for humanity after the rescue to return to their own evil ways. As I say constantly, what have we learned and what will we learn from the mistakes of the past. We have not yet begun to understand the need and nature of redemption.

Reflecting on the end of the year, finding peace for the soul often means leaving behind certain things—not necessarily what we want, but what the Holy Spirit guides us to. To experience the best earthly life and prepare for God’s newness, our soul needs to be in order, with our innermost parts aligned. I admit, I desire this, I pray for this, but haven’t quite arrived yet.

What is it we need to walk away from – the things that God detest and ask us to avoid, yet we cling to these soul dangers like a life preserver. The life preserver that the world throws to us just keeps us floating around in the same mirky, muddy, water it doesn’t pull us to safety in the arms of God. Why because it is not attached to the life flowing streams of God’s sovereignty.

Prayerfully consider the things today in your life that are dragging you down, keeping you from the best life possible within your soul and what you must do to change them. Think of people who are dragging you down by not allowing you to grow in your faith or keeping your mind focused on the virtues of faith. I believe when we get these things in order, we will be able then to get our physical lives in order because we will have a heart focused on God. Everything will be different when this happens, and we will certainly find “favor with God”