January 18, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 4, 15, 48
Genesis 9:18-29
Hebrews 6:1-12
John 3:22-36

II. Selections
Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

Genesis 9:20-21
Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent.

Hebrews 6:7
Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

John 3:27
John answered, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.

III. Meditation: What Noah should have known
Noah was a man of the soil,
and he planted a vineyard.
He drank its wine and became drunk;
and this led to embarrassment,
for which he blamed his son.

Nothing we receive is of value,
unless it has been given by you;
help us drink up your showers of rain,
that the crops we grow may be useful to you,
and we may receive your blessing.

Then we will not need old Noah's wine
to make us lie down
and sleep in peace;
for you alone, dear God,
make us lie down in safety.