Genesis Ch. 8

Father, we thank you for this Word. We thank you that it is power and life in the name of Jesus. Thank you that it's healing, protecting, redeeming, delivering, comforting, blessing and transforming the hearts of your sons and daughters in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Today, we looking at Genesis chapter 8. Herein, we see the heart of God reflected towards Noah, his family and all the animals and creatures that were in the ark with him.

Genesis 8:1 says, "Then God remembered Noah, and every living, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided." When God remembered Noah, we see that He immediately started working on a plan to deliver him so that that all the people and animals inside the ark would continue living a normal life outside the ark.

Despite God's deliverance plan for Noah, his family and all the animals that were in the ark with him, we see the manifestation of this deliverance not happening immediately. In Genesis 8:7, Noah first sent out a raven and later a dove (Genesis 8:8-9) to see if the waters were fully dried up from the land.

However, one day, when he sent out the dove again, it never returned (Genesis 8:10). This proved that the earth had dried up from the flood waters. However, it is important to note, just because Noah knew the ground was dry, He did not automatically leave the ark. He waited until gave God him the specific instruction to leave the ark.

Friend, sometimes you may have more than sufficient information to make the right decisions, but no matter the wisdom in your possession at the moment or how good the opportunity may be, do not proceed with a decision unless God specifically instructs you to do so. This especially applies if you understand and appreciate God as the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2) concerning every aspect of your life. In the meantime, celebrate in thanksgiving because your answered prayer is closer than you imagine!

By leaving the ark only when God instructed him to do so, this chapter also shows us his obedience and faithfulness to God's instruction even to the last detail.

Noah also built an altar (Genesis 8:20) and offered a sacrifice that pleased God when him and his family including all the animals and creatures departed from the ark. This sacrifice pleased the LORD's heart and in Genesis 8:21, "And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done."

Praise be to God, for His mercy and love that endures forever and continues for all humanity till this day! Under the new covenant, children of God no longer offer sacrifices of animals because God sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ who died once and for all of the sins of the world (Hebrews 10:10).

In this new covenant, the altar is the person's heart unlike in the old covenant, where physical altars were built with man made hands. The spirit of David in Psalm 51:16-17 prayed, "For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - These O God, You will not despise."

Child of God, God is the God of the heart which makes Him more interested in your heart posture in comparison to anything else. Hebrews 13:15-16 shows us some of the sacrifices that please God's heart and it says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." AMEN.

Today, God's grace is still available and welcomes all who desire to know His heart of redemption through His one and only Son Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus Christ, every evil imagination of heart and all sins has been conquered on the cross and washed away by His precious blood. If this is you - I invite you to make this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

I'll end with God's promise of His peace for you found in Isaiah 54:9 (NKJV)

"9.For this is like the waters of Noah to Me;

For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so I have sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.

10.For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you nor shall my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has mercy on you."

AMEN. Thank you LORD.