I have begun reading through the Bible again
and I am amazed at how it speaks so powerfully each time. I have had the privilege of hearing the
stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, and Abraham since I was a child, but I love how
the Holy Spirit speaks new truths through it again and again. They are not just nice stories we tell our
children. In fact the more I read them
the more I feel we have watered down these great truths into cute kid
stories. God’s Word is powerful
truth! Each story gives us a beautiful
glimpse into God’s heart, His love, plan for us, grace, holiness…and His plan
for salvation, Jesus.
Read the story about Noah for example. It begins with God in great pain. Did you know God, the Creator of all, King of
King, hurts so deeply?! You know why? His great pain comes from sin. When His children sin, it hurts. God made all people in His likeness and they turned
from Him and made Him their enemy. The
Bible says that every thought of their heart was evil all the time. And God grieved. Their wickedness was so great God regretted
making man. This caused Him so much pain.
We need to stop and hear the terrible side of
the story – the great sin, great pain…so we can see the greatness of God’s
grace at the end of the story. If we
miss the pain, the ugliness, the emotion, we will miss God’s mercy and love.
Now God is Holy. He cannot be anything else and so He can not
tolerate sin. He is just. Justice is right and good. And so, God knew He had to destroy His very
own creation. And He grieved. It didn’t make Him happy, He grieved.
But, there was one man, one Father, one
family who chose to follow the Lord in such wickedness – Noah. Noah was righteous and blameless among the
people because he walked with God. How
about us? How about you? Our world is still wicked and full of sin do
you stand out to God? Are you walking
with Him and living in righteousness? Or
have you fallen into the ways of the world, accepting it instead of standing
for truth, and looking no different than the world does?
Noah found favor in God’s eyes, He blessed
Noah. God chose to start over with
mankind through Noah’s family. God told
Noah His plan. And Noah obeyed. Noah didn’t question, didn’t doubt, didn’t
say no…Noah did everything just as God commanded him. You see when God speaks the only answer is,
“yes, Lord.” Everything else is disobedience
which really is rebellion and lack of faith.
However, Noah was human and when he was building the ark in a desert,
mocked and laughed at he most likely went to God in his times of questioning,
waiting, doubt. The key is bringing it
to God and continue to obey.
After the whole ordeal was over, Noah’s first
response was a thanksgiving offering to God and it was pleasing to God. And God said in His heart, after watching His
whole creation die because of their sins, NEVER again! Even though He knew mankind would become just
as wicked again (every bit of our hearts from childhood!) He chose never to
destroy everything again. When God makes
a promise it is for sure!!! Then God
made a sign to remind Him of his covenant – a rainbow. God knew He would need a reminder because the
world would make Him grieve again. What grace,
what mercy, what love God has shown us!
He didn’t have to, but He wanted to.
Why? Because He loves you! He loves His children and gives us grace so
we can know Him. That is the beauty of
the rainbow. Not just pretty colors or
things the world has distorted it to, but God’s handmade sign of everlasting grace
and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment