Lately, we have been pondering the days of Noah. We have asked the vital question of how we escape the corruption of this present age, and whether we share the same favor that Noah found in the eyes of God. Today, the Lord has laid a powerful message on my heart regarding what it means to be truly justified, chosen, and preserved by Him. Before looking at the state of our world, we must anchor ourselves in Romans chapter 8. There, the Apostle Paul reminds us that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The Spirit of God dwells within us, mortifying the deeds of the body and giving life because of righteousness. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear, but the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. When we look around today at our phones, televisions, and radios, we see a world marked by evil, strife, and violence. It feels remarkably like the days of Noah, though our modern era faces its own unique depths of darkness. Yet, creation itself waits in earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God. When the Holy Spirit operates through us, He helps us in our infirmities and intercedes according to the will of God. All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined, called, justified, and glorified. If God be for us, who can be against us? How did Noah survive? How did he manage to still preach the gospel, maintain his faith, and perform his divine assignment? He lived inside a little cocoon called the will of God. Job understood this deeply in chapter 29 when he spoke of the days when God preserved him. When the Almighty was with him, his steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out rivers of oil for him. Job was honored, protected, and blessed, not just for his own comfort, but so he could rescue the poor, care for the fatherless, and cause the widow's heart to sing for joy. When the Lord chooses and preserves you, He blesses you so that you can be a blessing to others. Over in Isaiah chapter 44, God speaks to Jacob and Israel, reminding them that He formed them from the womb and chose them. Even before a person fully finds their way to repentance and salvation, God already sees them and has a plan for their life. He tells us not to fear. He is the Redeemer, the Lord of hosts, who blots out our transgressions. In chapter 45, the Lord speaks of Cyrus and His elect, promising to go before them, make the crooked places straight, break pieces of brass, and give them the treasures of darkness. Being chosen by God means you have an intentional assignment, backed by the Creator of the universe. We see this same divine empowerment manifested on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, when heaven broke onto earth with a rushing mighty wind and cloven tongues of fire. Peter stood up and declared that this was the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Joel, wherein God pours out His Spirit upon all flesh. We have been living in these last days ever since, called to seek the face of the Lord, receive redemption, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Philippians chapter 2 urges us to let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. To be blameless and harmless as the sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse world, we must do all things without murmuring and disputing. We are called to shine as lights, holding forth the word of life. Let us lean heavily on the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus took on flesh and blood, tasting death for every man, so that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death and deliver those who were all their lifetime subject to bondage. We do not stand by our own human effort, but by His matchless grace. Let us ask the Lord to strengthen us, keep us near to His heart, and let His glorious light shine brightly through our lives every single day. Amen. Scriptures for Further Study -- Romans 8:1-25 -- Job 29:1-25 -- Isaiah 44:1-24 -- Isaiah 45:1-18 -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Philippians 2:1-16 -- Hebrews 1:1-14 -- Hebrews 2:1-18 +++++++ We have begun building a new website which you can see here: https://www.noahdays.org/