January 4, 2026 -Fruitful Living

Psalms 4:1-8

Matthew 3:1-17

Genesis 7:1-24

Genesis 8:1-22

Bible in a Year Through Song - Day 4 of 365

Genesis 8:13-17 NIV

[13] By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. [14] By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. [15] Then God said to Noah, [16] “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. [17] Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”

Today I read first then listened. As I read about the progression of the water receding, I was struck by Noah's patience. Noah was able to see that the water had dried up. After all that time locked up in the ark he takes the covering off. I imagine it is like opening all the doors and windows on the first nice spring day after a long winter. He could have reasoned on his own that the water is gone so they can leave the ark, but he doesn't. He waits. He waits till God tells him to leave the ark. I am pretty good at reasoning myself into doing things. Is it possible that if Noah would have left the ark that it would have all been okay. Yes, I believe so. God knows us and will use even our impatient choices for good. But having the faith in God that promotes that patience to wait on Him is something I desire. Thinking about the fruit of the Spirit this week as I prepare for the children's message on Sunday. The fruit of the Spirit grows in us the more we live for God. The more we follow Him. Noah had lived a long life for God. That is why he was on the ark. I guess that is why the fruit of patience was so strong in his life. Really his life demonstrates them all. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self Control.

May we all start the new year growing in our faith with the desire to produce good and abundant fruit.