AUGUST 8, 2014
The
Upright Thumb
Read: Genesis
6:11-22
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. —Genesis 6:8
According to an
African fable, four fingers and a thumb lived together on a hand. They were
inseparable friends. One day, they noticed a gold ring lying next to them and
conspired to take it. The thumb said it would be wrong to steal the ring, but
the four fingers called him a self-righteous coward and refused to be his
friend. That was just fine with the thumb; he wanted nothing to do with their
mischief. This is why, the legend goes, the thumb still stands separate from
the other fingers.
This tale reminds me
that at times we may feel we’re standing alone when wrongdoing surrounds us. In
Noah’s day, the earth was filled with violence; every thought in every heart
was “evil continually” (Gen. 6:5,11). Yet “Noah found grace in the eyes of the
Lord” (v.8). Fully devoted to God, Noah obeyed Him and built the ark. The Lord,
in His grace, spared him and his family.
We too have been shown
God’s grace through His Son Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We have every
reason to bring Him honor and stand strong for Him in our daily lives. He is
always near, even abiding in us, so we never really stand alone. His “ears are
open to [our] cry” (Ps. 34:15).
They show their colors
when they stand
For what is true and
right;
And those who venture
all on God
Are pleasing in His
sight. —D. DeHaan
It’s easy to stand
with a crowd; it takes courage to stand alone.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
