Daily Reading: Genesis 9
Scripture Focus: After the flood Noah lived 350 years. (Genesis 9.28)
Devotional Thought: I had a wonderful mentor and friend who told me of a prayer that a college professor had taught him to pray, “Lord, help me not to peak too soon.” As a young man, on my way "up" in life, in energy, in skill, in opportunities, and in success, I didn’t really understand that. As I have aged, however, I have come to appreciate the reality behind that prayer. I want to always be moving upward, getting closer to Christ, growing in effectiveness. My body and mind don’t always cooperate, however!
As we read the account of Noah, it seems fair to say that Noah "peaked" in his life when he saved his family – and humanity! – from the flood. But, his story does not end there, does it? “After the flood Noah lived 350 years.” I wonder what he did in those years. I hope the incident with his sons was not typical.
After attaining a certain stage or age or wage in life, it is easy to rest on our laurels. Like the rich man in Luke 12, it is easy to say to ourselves, “Relax! Eat, drink, and be merry!” But “after the flood” there is still a lot of living left to do! Like Abraham at 100, God may want to give us a "child" to mentor; or like Moses at 80, there may be works of deliverance for us to do; or like John in his 90’s, there may be books to write and counsel to give.
You may have reached a certain level of success, but remember – with God there’s always more!
Prayer: Lord, help me not to become satisfied with where I am, but grant that I may continue to grow in effectiveness and effort for you. Help me to live each of the years that are before me. May I not peak too soon. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. (Psalm 14.1-3)
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