Genesis 6:9-22; Psalm 4

Genesis 6:9-22

Verse 9 tells us that "Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations, Noah walked with God." John MacArthur in his study bible (p. 24) says, "The order is one of increasing spiritual quality before god: "just" is to live by God's righteous standards; "perfect" sets him apart by a comparison with those of his day, and that he "walked with God" puts him in a class with Enoch."

Verses 11-12 again tell us how corrupt and violent the earth had become. God vows to destroy the earth along with the unrepentant people in it. (The people of that day had plenty of time to repent because God gave them 120 years while Noah built the ark, Genesis 6:3.)

God gave Noah specific instructions on how to build the ark. See vv. 14-16. "And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die."

v. 17 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark--you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you." A covenant is an important Bible concept. It is an agreement or a promise. And we know that God always keeps His promises! In this case, Noah and his family would trust God and obey Him, and God would keep them safe. The story of Noah, the ark, and the great flood are literal historical happenings, but in addition, the ark is a beautiful picture of Jesus Himself. If we are "in Christ," we will be saved. If we are "outside of Christ," we will perish in the same way that those inside the ark were saved and those outside the ark were lost.

Many people have questioned this account. Remember that it WAS a miracle. The animals probably didn't reproduce, and they didn't eat one another! John MacArthur in his study Bible, p. 25 has this to say about the space in the ark. "There are less than 18,000 species living on earth today. This number may be doubled to allow for now extinct creatures. With two of each, a total of 72,000 creatures is reasonable...the cubic space could hold 125,000 sheep, and since the average size of land animals is less than a sheep, perhaps less than 60% of the space was used. The very large animals were surely represented by young. There was ample room also for the one million species of insects, as well as food for a year for everyone."

"Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did." Genesis 6:22

Psalm 4


This is a psalm of trust. As we've seen so many times, David had lots of enemies and troubles in his life. These struggles can cause much turmoil just as they do to us today! So what can we learn about dealing with these stressful situations?

• We should ask God to take control! v. 1 'Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer."
• Encourage those who trouble  you to trust God too. vv. 2-3
• TRUST God. "Trust" is a word full of meaning. Think of a bridge. Chances are you don't worry that the bridge will collapse when you cross. You just trust it. This is a very crude example of what it means to trust God. You don't fret, you just trust. This is faith!  The remaining verses in this psalm give us good advice about trusting. If we're angry when we go to bed, instead of fuming all night, we should pray, praising and thanking the Lord. Then we will soon relax in peace and we can sleep. If we fearful or worried, we should do the same!

The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

4 Be[d] angry, and do not sin.                                         
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,   
And put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.