All our readings provoked much thought. Psalm 7 is David’s plea for refuge; “save me from my pursuers and deliver me” (verse 1). But he also says, “if there is wrong in my hands … let the enemy … trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust” (verses 3,5). David knew God could see all things, including how his mind worked, his values and priorities in life. This is the reason he was so shattered after his sin with Bathsheba, God would not let him hide his sin.

We turn to Genesis and what God “saw”. “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (6:5). God sees in humans two different qualities – either good or evil, righteousness or wickedness, love or hate! Ways of living tending in one of these directions, wheat or tares are growing and eventually produce one of two kinds of harvest. And what a harvest of godlessness was surrounding Noah! Is it not the same today! We are going to be part of a harvest of one kind or another.

“And God saw the earth, and behold it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way…” (verse 12). We know when things are going off, such as fruit in the fruit bowl. We go through it to see what can be saved and throw the bad away. Noah’s great grandfather Enoch “walked with God” and “God took him” (5:24). We are not told how – or where. This happened just four years before Noah was born. The situation had now degenerated so that many “harsh things that ungodly sinners” had been spoken against Enoch (Jude 14) “loud mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (verse 16). That rings a bell with today, doesn’t it?, the result when God is pushed right out of our thinking.

“But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). God’s eyes are all seeing. But do we find favour in the eyes of the LORD? David’s Psalms show he was very conscious of the need for that to be so.

Returning to Psalm 7, David writes; “judge me, O LORD … according to the integrity that is in me … you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God … who saves the upright in heart” (verses 8-10).

May we all be “upright in heart”.