I woke up this morning thinking about Noah. It’s probably because my husband and I are preaching about his story this morning. But my first thoughts were outside of the scope of our sermon, so, of course, I had to dive back in the chapters of his story.
Families survive storms when they stick together. It’s when we start to splinter that water gets in the boat and families start to sink. Noah and his family survived the great reset of humanity because they refused to abandon one another when the rain came and the water rose.
Let’s look specifically at Noah’s narrative:
“I’m going to establish a covenant with you: you’ll board the ship, and your sons, your wife and your sons wives will come board with you.” (Genesis 6:18 MSG)
God promises to keep our families afloat through the worst of storms if we’ll stay loyal to Him. Obedience is the key to surviving the rainy seasons of life.
“Noah did everything God commanded him to do.” (Genesis 6:22a MSG)
Noah’s obedience insured his family’s survival. He’s a type of Christ. His righteousness was enough to cover his wife, his sons, and their wives.
“Only Noah and his company on the ship lived.” (Genesis 7:23 MSG)
God carried out His plan. Noah’s relationship with God secured his survival.
“Noah build an altar to God.” (Genesis 8:20 MSG)
Noah celebrated survival with thanks and praise. His first act on dry ground was an altar and a worship service.
“He selected clean animals and birds from every species and offered them as burnt offerings on the altar.” (Genesis 8:21a MSG)
Don’t miss the audacity of this sacrifice. These were the only animals left in all creation. This sacrifice was an act of tremendous trust on Noah’s part. He risked the survival of the species (and ultimately his own survival) in a thank offering. He began his new life on a new earth with gratitude. He exhibits complete dependency on his Creator. He trusted God explicitly because of his storm experience.
“God smelled the sweet fragrance and though to Himself; I’ll never again curse the ground because of people. I know they have this bend toward evil from an early age, but I’ll never again kill of everything as I just did.”
(Genesis 8:21b MSG)
Gratitude after a surviving a severe storm touches the heart of God. He pays attention to faithful people.
“God blessed Noah and his songs.” (Genesis 9:1 MSG)
Blessing blows in after the storm. The air is sweet, washed by the rain. The skies are empty, bright and beautiful.
“You’re here to bear fruit, reproduce, lavish life on earth, live bountifully.” Genesis 9:7 MSG)
There is purpose post-storm. There is good growth in the days that follow. Guard your heart with gratitude or one may wander back and wallow.
Lord, we thank You for carrying us through the storms. We long to be righteous, not like Noah but like Christ. Help our families stick together in crisis. Give us the courage to offer sacrifices when resources are tight. May we live out our days in gratitude for our salvation. Amen.