The Lord's Prayer
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of July 20, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8 NLT
1Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. 2The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. 3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”
4In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.
5The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7And the LORD said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8But Noah found favor with the LORD.
Monday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, this week’s reading is so difficult to read. For You to be sorry that you have ever made human beings is understandable, but hard for me as a member of the human race. I know that the ultimate outcome of Your plan was a second chance for humanity, but I pray that in my life and in the lives of Christians everywhere around the world today that we may live in the power of Your Holy Spirit, and thus bring pleasure rather than pain to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
1Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. 2The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives Genesis 6:1-2 NLT
What do you make of verse 2? (You may need to use a Bible dictionary, or study notes in a study Bible for help!)
Specifically: who were “the sons of God?”
Today’s Challenge: I will rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me so that I may bring joy to the Lord today!
Tuesday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, 120 years seems like a long time from a human perspective, but I know that for You it is less than the blink of an eye. I pray that You will teach me to number my days, and specifically THIS day, that I may gain a heart of wisdom and live boldly for You! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.” Genesis 6:3 NLT
Why do you suppose God imposed a limit of 120 years on the human lifespan, and yet only a few people ever live that long in our day?
What do you see in the Scriptures above (both today’s and yesterday’s that would cause got to be upset with human beings?
Today’s Challenge: I will live THIS day with my focus on God!
Wednesday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, sometimes the Scriptures are confusing for us, because we’re looking back thousands of years into a world that was vastly different from ours. Guide me in reading Your word to be able to understand and to do what it says! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
4In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times. Genesis 6:4 NLT
Who or what were the Nephilites or the Nephilim as they are also known?
Why would their children be the “heroes and famous warriors” of old?
Today’s Challenge: I will seek God’s wisdom when I read His word and find it difficult to understand!
Thursday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, on behalf of those who came before me who were “consistently and totally evil,” and on behalf of myself I ask Your forgiveness. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may live obediently and be a blessing to those around me. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
Reflection on God’s Word:
5The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. Genesis 6:5-6 NLT
Why do you think humanity turned out the way it did?
Why would this break God’s heart, since he already knew it would happen?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the Spirit in order to please God!
Friday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, I will never pretend to know or understand Your thoughts and ways, but again I am sorry for being part of the race that caused You such sorrow that You decided to destroy us. Guide me today by Your Spirit that I may honor You in all I think, say and do. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
7And the LORD said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” Genesis 6:7 NLT
Why do you think God would create us knowing we would sin, and then destroy us for sinning?
What does this tell us about the nature of God?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit!
Saturday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for always finding someone or something good in every situation. Thank You for finding favor with Noah, and for showing Him and His family blessing, even when You were broken hearted because of humanity. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live a life of favor in You. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
Reflection on God’s Word:
8But Noah found favor with the LORD. NLT
What is the significance of Noah finding favor with the Lord, based on what we have read this week?
Take some time to praise God for Noah and His faithfulness to the Lord!
Today’s Challenge: I will live as Noah—in the way that brings God’s favor!