Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Journey: Genesis 8 - God Remembered Noah



In Genesis 6, we studied how the world was evil, so evil that every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart were only evil continually. So, God judged the world with a flood. Noah escaped God's judgment by grace through faith. The Bible says Noah found grace in the eyes of God (Genesis 6:8) and that Noah's faith motivated him to follow God's command to build the ark (Hebrews 11:7). Noah was saved by grace through faith... by God's grace through his faith.

The ark symbolized Jesus in scripture. We enter into Christ by grace through faith, and He shields us from God's wrath, much like the ark shielded Noah from the flood.

Genesis 8:1 says "And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;"

When the Bible says God remembered Noah, it means that He had continual concern for Noah. God had a continual concern for Noah before, during and after the flood. God has that same concern for us too.

God remembers us in His plans. God planned on judging the world with a flood, but Noah found grace in His eyes. So, God instructed Noah to build the ark, and God didn't flood the earth until the ark was built, and Noah and his family were safe inside.

God remembered Noah in his plans, and He remembers us in His plans as well. God's plans include our salvation. God will not allow anyone to die until they have had the opportunity to accept Christ as Savior, and He will not allow someone whom He knows will be saved to die before they make their profession of faith (Romans 8:28-30).

Furthermore, He will not send Christ to return to the earth to establish His kingdom and judge the world until all who will be saved have been saved. II Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

God's plans also include our well-being (Romans 8:28). Anything that happens in our life will work to make us better, stronger and more faithful. God's people do not suffer pointlessly.

God remembers us, He has ongoing concern for us.

God will remember us when He pours His wrath out on the earth. During the flood, God kept Noah safely inside the ark (Genesis 7:16 - The LORD shut him in.) Noah and his family was safely inside the ark. Inside the ark, they had all they needed. When God executes His wrath upon the earth again, this time by fire, He will remove us from the earth, and we will be safely by the Lord's side. Why? Because God remembers us.

God will remember us in His kingdom. Verses 20-21 speak to how Noah sacrificed when he came off the ark. This was how Noah worshipped. Upon being delivered from the wrath of God, Noah worshipped the LORD. When we enter into eternity with the Lord, we will also worship Him, like we have never worshipped Him before.

Noah was invited into the ark because he was God's man... He trusted and followed the Lord. He was saved. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, God will not shield you from His wrath. Repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior today.