Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do
Focus: Genesis Chapters 6-9
Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.
This week’s devotion includes:
Chapter 6 – The Wickedness of the World
Chapter 7 – Trusting God in the Storm
Chapter 8 – God Remembers Us in the Waiting
Chapter 9 – Blessing Beyond Me
(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)
I Do – Watch Me Study
Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.
This Week’s Memory Verse — The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
Genesis Chapter 6 – God’s Covenant with Noah
(Read Genesis Chapter 6 First)
Genesis 6 opens with one of the more mysterious verses in the Bible: “the sons of God” took the daughters of men as wives. I won’t dive into the theological debate on whether the “sons of God” are fallen angels, descendants of Seth, or ancient rulers. But what’s important to see is that God was not pleased with these marriages.
In verse 3, God says His Spirit will not always strive with man. That word “strive” means to plead with or convict. God’s Spirit was actively reaching out to mankind, but humanity was choosing the flesh which we know is weak, sinful, and opposed to God.
Then verse 5 says, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” That’s heartbreaking. Imagine living in a world where no one did good. Where evil was always abounding and constant. Can you imagine how on edge and unsafe you’d feel always watching your back and expecting harm?
God saw their hearts and was grieved. But even in His sorrow, He extended grace. He declared that man’s days would be 120 years. This was likely the time He gave for humanity to repent before he would send the flood.
Verses 6 and 7 show us God’s emotional response: “It repented the Lord that he had made man… and it grieved him at his heart.” The word “repented” here means He felt sorrow and deep regret over how far mankind had fallen. God’s heart aches over sin.
But then verse 8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
Why Noah? Verse 9 tells us he was a just man. He was righteous, obedient, and his heart was fixed on God. He was perfect in his generations, meaning blameless and full of integrity. But most importantly, “Noah walked with God.” That’s the kind of life we’re aiming for and can be achieved with a daily, faithful walk with the Lord.
As I read the rest of the chapter, I was struck by how detailed God’s instructions were. He tells Noah exactly what to do, even the window, which Noah will one day open to release the dove. God knew every part of the storm that was coming, and He equipped Noah with exactly what he’d need to get through it.
The last verse of the chapter is such a simple but beautiful testimony: “Noah did all that God commanded him.” Imagine how hard it was building a massive ark by hand, gathering animals, storing food for people and beasts alike. But Noah obeyed. He trusted. And God carried him through.
We Do – Let’s Study Together
Trusting God in the Storm
(Read Genesis 7)
Genesis 7 shows us a God who is both just and patient, powerful and precise. As we walk through this chapter together, let’s ask ourselves: Are we listening when God speaks? We may not hear an audible voice like Noah might have, but God still speaks through His Word, through conviction, through other Christians, and through peace or unrest in our spirit. Are we paying attention?
God gave Noah specific instructions down to the number of animals, the timing, and even the waiting period before the flood began. What might God be asking you to prepare for? Sometimes obedience means getting to work before we see the storm clouds.
Let’s pause and reflect:
•Is there something God is prompting you to do, even if it doesn’t make sense right now?
•Do you tend to wait until the storm is right overhead before you listen and obey?
•How do you see God’s mercy in His 7-day delay before judgment began?
Even in judgment, God was measured and merciful. He preserved life, made a covenant, and gave Noah everything he needed to endure. Let’s cling to this truth: God’s plans are not rushed or random. They are perfect, even when we don’t understand them.
Together, let’s pray for the faith to obey, the patience to wait, and the trust to enter when He says, “Come.”
(Read Genesis 8)
God Remembers Us in the Waiting
Let’s sit with one of the most hope-filled truths in the story of Noah:
“And God remembered Noah…” (Genesis 8:1)
The storm had lasted 150 days. That’s almost half a year of nothing but water, noise, unknowns, and waiting. But when the time was right, God caused a wind to blow, and the waters began to recede. This was God’s mercy in real life.
Can you think of a time when you were stuck in a long, heavy season? Maybe you felt like the storm would never end. But then one day it did. The heaviness began to lift. The panic settled. A little peace returned.
That wasn’t coincidence. That was God remembering you.
Let’s also notice the dove. She returned to Noah with an olive leaf, a small symbol of hope. She could’ve kept it, but she brought it back. This made me think of how God sometimes sends someone to us in our hardest moments to say, “You’re not forgotten.”
Take a moment to reflect:
• Has God ever sent someone to encourage you during a storm?
• Has He ever used you to bring hope to someone else?
When Noah left the ark, the very first thing he did was worship. He built an altar and offered a sacrifice of gratitude. And Scripture says the Lord smelled a “sweet savour.”
True worship touches the heart of God.
As we think about this, let’s ask ourselves:
• In my seasons of survival, have I made space to worship?
• When God brings me through, do I stop and say thank You?
Together, let’s commit to remembering what Noah knew:
God is faithful in the flood, we can trust Him in the waiting, and He is worthy of our worship.
You Do – Apply It Personally
Now it’s your turn.
Read through Genesis 9 and take some time to think about and journal through the questions below. Ask the Holy Spirit to help show you how to apply them personally to your life.
1. Legacy of Obedience
“And God blessed Noah and his sons…” (Genesis 9:1)
•Why do you think God chose to bless Noah’s sons even though the text doesn’t speak of their faith?
• What are some ways I can be faithful to God as a parent and hope that my children are blessed by my actions?
After you reflect:
When I read that God blessed Noah AND his sons, it made me stop and think that my faithfulness, trust, and obedience to God could trickle down and bless my children. Here are some ways that we can be intentional and live this out:
• Stay rooted in God’s Word and walk in obedience.
• Pray blessings over my children daily.
• Live in a way that my children see what faith looks like.
• Trust that my walk with God impacts them more than I realize.
2. Image-Bearing and Justice
“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you… even as the green herb have I given you all things.” (Genesis 9:3)
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:6)
•What does it mean to you personally that you are made in God’s image?
•How might this truth shape the way you see others, especially those who are hard to love?
•Do you carry any unforgiveness or judgment that needs to be surrendered to God’s justice?
After you reflect:
In these verses, we see both the generosity of God and the value He places on life. God gave humans the right to eat all animals but He also set a clear boundary: human life must not be taken. People are sacred to God because we are made in His image. Let’s look at some ways we can apply this to our everyday lives:
• Treat others with respect, knowing they bear God’s image.
• Teach my children that life is sacred from the womb to the elderly.
• Honor God by how I treat His creation.
3. God’s Promises and His Sign
“I do set my bow in the cloud…” (Genesis 9:13)
•How do you typically remember God’s promises in your everyday life?
•What has God promised you in His Word that you may have forgotten?
After you reflect:
God gave a rainbow as a sign of His covenant never to destroy the whole earth by flood again. Here are some ways we can be reminded of God’s promises to us.
•Pay attention to the signs of God’s faithfulness (even in nature.)
•Create my own reminders (journals, scripture cards, or prayers) of God’s promises to me.
•Teach my children to see God’s hand in everyday beauty.
4. Handle the failures of others with honor, not shame.
“And Shem and Japheth took a garment… and covered the nakedness of their father.” (Genesis 9:23)
•How do you usually respond when someone close to you fails or sins?
•Is there anyone in your life right now you’re tempted to talk about instead of cover with grace?
•What would it look like to “walk backward” and cover someone with honor and love?
After you reflect:
Ham exposed his father’s shame, but Shem and Japheth honored him by covering him without looking. For us today, this means:
• When someone falls short, choose compassion
• Respond with grace
• Cover others in love the way Christ covers me.
5. Noah’s Humanity and God’s Mercy
“And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years… and he died.” (Genesis 9:28–29)
•How do you feel about Noah’s failure being recorded after such great faithfulness?
•What encouragement does it give you to know that even the righteous stumble?
•Where do you need to give yourself grace to keep walking forward?
After you reflect:
Noah was righteous, but he wasn’t perfect. His story doesn’t end in failure.
How can I live this out?
• Be humble. Anyone can stumble.
• Be hopeful that even though I fail, it doesn’t define my future.
• Keep pressing on.
Key Takeaway:
Faithful obedience leaves a legacy, honors God, and invites blessing that reaches beyond you.
Heavenly Father,
I want to thank your Spirit for reaching out to us to do good. You know how weak our flesh is and you continue to help us overcome it’s sinful nature. Your heart aches over sin and yet you still give us grace. Help us to continue in walking daily with you, reading your word, and spending time in prayer. I’m in awe that you know everything about our lives before they even happen and you equip us with exactly what we need. Help us to obey and trust that you will see us through. Thank you for speaking to us, and may we have ears to listen. We know heavy seasons will come in our lives, but we thank you for growing us during those times, remembering us, and eventually lifting our heaviness. Help us to live our lives for you, Lord, and allow those blessings to trickle down to our children. Help us to go through each day treating everyone with honor and respect because we know how important and sacred people are to you because you created us in your own image. Help us to choose compassion, grace, and love in how we treat others and ourselves. Help us to stay humble and obedient.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
The Georgia Nest 