Noah and his family spent more than a year in the ark. When they left the ark, they saw a world that had changed dramatically. After experiencing a year full of God’s grace and mercy, a humble Noah built an altar to worship God for His character, protection and provision.
On the altar, Noah sacrificed an animal. God accepted the offering. It pleased Him because Noah gave the offering obediently. We don’t know which worship and offering instructions God gave Noah, but it’s apparent that he must have received some direction from God.
After this, God made the first promise in the Bible:
“Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.” Genesis 8:21
Notice that God made the promise to Himself (“in His heart” in 8:21).
Then God gave some commands (such as be fruitful, eat plants and animals) and some restrictions (such as do not eat meat with blood in it, do not murder).
God gives laws for correct living. His standards are clearly defined for us in Scripture. But we must read the Bible to know how to live correctly. How comforting to know that we always can find the truth in the Bible!
Then God made His first covenant with man. This covenant or agreement was given to Noah, his descendants (which includes us today) and every living creature:
“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:11
This is an unconditional covenant. That means God will do this regardless of our obedience, or lack thereof. This covenant is dependent on God alone, not on us.
The symbol of this covenant and God’s promise is the rainbow. According to 9:16, the rainbow is a reminder to both God and us. If a rainbow is so beautiful for us, imagine what God must see from heaven!
The rainbow is an assurance of God’s promise. We can depend on God’s promises because they are guaranteed by His character.
For every storm, there is a rainbow of promise. Find a promise that fits with your current storm. Claim it. Memorize it. Believe it.
My challenge right now is being a mommy to a stubborn but sweet 3-year-old girl. The promises I’m claiming in this situation right now are:
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
From the high point of God giving the rainbow to demonstrate His character and mercy, we move to a low point of sin. Noah sinned by getting drunk and lying naked in his tent. Noah’s son Ham sinned by somehow ridiculing or disrespecting Noah in his sinful state. Noah’s other sons Shem and Japheth covered their father’s body without looking at him. This situation proves that sin was not completely eradicated with the flood. It also shows that no one is immune from sin, even the righteous Noah.
Our choices influence those around us. How are my choices affecting others?
And here’s Avery!