“Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten My Word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12 (KJV)
In the book of Genesis, we read that Noah and his family alone found grace in the eyes of the Lord because of his uprightness. The wickedness of man was great on the earth, and God regretted He had made man. Thus, He decided to start over; He destroyed His creation – Genesis 6:5-6.
God allows us time and opportunity to turn away from evil and embrace His Word. Obedience to Him brings blessings to our lives and helps us live purposefully. When we fail to obey, we rob ourselves of the essentials of meaningful living and operate far below our potential. The choice is ours to be willing and obey and eat the good of the land, or rebel and bear the consequences of our disobedience – Isaiah 1:19-20.
Being shut up in a boat with animals and birds for nearly one year could not have been easy for Noah and his family, but it was the only means of survival. When we are in God’s service, we will suffer inconveniences, hardships, persecutions, etc., but “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10 (KJV). Our rewards will far outweigh our discomfort as we serve in the Kingdom of God.
After the ark experience, God established a new covenant with Noah and his generations after him. God promised never to flood the entire earth again to destroy it – Genesis 9:11. Added to this, He gave Noah proof that He will keep His Word, the appearance of a rainbow which God said will remind Him of His promise – Genesis 9:12-17.
God will keep His Word despite everything else – Jeremiah 1:12. He is God. The covenant He made with Noah is still active even after more than two thousand years. What an awesome covenant-keeping God.
Prayer
God, how wonderful are Your works on all the earth? You have created all things for Your pleasure, but sin entered and marred Your creation. We thank You for Jesus, and His blood shed for our redemption. We thank You for the rich and precious promises we have in You, and we lay hold on them. Bless us, we pray, in Jesus’s mighty Name, Amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 1:19-20Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 18:7-15; Matthew 21:33-46; Matthew 22:1-14; Job 25; Job 26; Job 27; Job 28; Job 29