Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: January 4 (Genesis 7–8; Psalm 4; Matthew 6)
Host: Crossway | Aired: January 4, 2026

Overview

This episode continues "Through the ESV Bible in a Year" with Jackie Hill Perry, focusing on Genesis 7–8, Psalm 4, and Matthew 6. The episode centers on God's judgment and mercy (Noah and the Flood), assurance and prayer (Psalm 4), and foundational teachings from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6) about piety, prayer, materialism, and anxiety. Through these readings, listeners are encouraged to reflect on God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and the posture of the heart in worship and daily living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Genesis 7–8: The Flood and God’s Promise

• Obedience and Divine Instruction
  • Noah is commanded to take his family and pairs of animals into the ark as God prepares to send the flood (00:01–00:52).
• The Scope of God’s Judgment
  • The great flood covers the earth, destroying all living things except those saved in the ark: “And all flesh died that moved on the Earth… everything on the dry land, in whose nostrils was the Breath of life died.” (01:52)
• God’s Mercy and Remembrance
  • Despite the devastation, “God remembered Noah” and orchestrated the recession of the waters, culminating in the ark resting on the mountains of Ararat (02:30–03:20).
• A New Beginning
  • After the floodwaters abate, Noah, his family, and the animals leave the ark and repopulate the earth (03:21–04:30).
• Covenant and Grace
  • God’s promise: “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done…” (04:46)

Notable Quotes

• “And the Lord shut him in.” (02:00)
• “I will never again curse the ground because of man… While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.” (04:46)

Psalm 4: Confidence in God Amid Distress

• Cry for Help and Divine Response
  • David appeals to God: “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have given me relief when I was in distress.” (05:22)
• Challenge to Opponents
  • A rhetorical confrontation: “How long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?” (05:27)
• Counsel for the Heart
  • A call to internal reflection and holiness: “Be angry and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent.” (05:40)
• True Joy and Security
  • Joy found in God surpasses material abundance: “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (05:56)
  • Assurance in God’s protection: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (06:00)

Notable Quotes

• “Be angry and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.” (05:40)
• “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (05:56–06:00)

Matthew 6: Jesus’ Teachings on Righteousness, Prayer, and Trust in God

Practicing Righteousness (06:11–06:58)

• Warning against Hypocrisy
  • Jesus warns: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…” (06:11)
  • Authentic giving, prayer, and fasting should be private, not performance for others.

The Lord’s Prayer (07:11–07:35)

• A Model for Prayer

  • Jesus provides a template: honoring God, seeking His will, asking for provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil.

• “Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done…”

• “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (07:35)

Fasting with Sincerity (07:36–07:48)

• Private Devotion
  • Don’t appear gloomy when fasting; do it “by your Father, who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

On Treasures and Allegiance (07:49–08:30)

• Focus on Eternal Rewards
  • “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (07:49)
• Sole Allegiance
  • “No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money.” (08:23)

On Anxiety and Trust (08:31–09:35)

• Deep Assurance
  • Trust in God’s care: “Look at the birds of the air... your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (08:34)
  • “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (09:18)
  • Practical advice: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (09:32)

Notable Quotes

• “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…” (06:11)
• “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret…” (06:45)
• “You cannot serve God and money.” (08:23)
• “Therefore do not be anxious about your life… But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (09:18)
• “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (09:32)

Memorable Moments & Reflections

• The vivid description of the Flood and the drama of Noah’s obedience highlights the consequences of disobedience and the hope that comes through trusting and waiting on God (00:01–04:45).
• Psalm 4 offers lyrical assurance that even amidst opposition and uncertainty, ultimate peace and safety come from the Lord, not from circumstances or abundance (05:22–06:00).
• The practical and spiritual wisdom of Matthew 6 calls listeners to real, humble, and God-focused spiritual disciplines, challenging anxiety about material needs with God’s faithfulness (06:11–09:35).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Genesis 7–8: The Flood Narrative – 00:01–05:11
• Psalm 4: Prayer and Assurance – 05:22–06:11
• Matthew 6: Teaching on Spiritual Practices and Anxiety – 06:11–09:35

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a reflective, reverent, and meditative tone, blending direct biblical readings with occasional responses that encourage silent contemplation and heart-level engagement with the text.

Conclusion

This episode leads listeners through foundational texts pointing to God’s sovereignty, the patterns of faithful living, and the call to deep trust rather than religious performance or anxiety. The readings invite listeners to humility, gratitude, and seeking God’s presence in all aspects of life.