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Devotions

Noah

Savior

Readings: Genesis 6:9-22 and 1 Peter 3:18-21

What fool would build such a big boat? Oh, how the people must have ridiculed him. For the times of Noah were evil. “Every inclination of the thoughts of his [man’s] heart was only evil all the time” (Gen. 6:5). It is possible Noah tried to warn them. Can’t you see him wiping the sweat from his brow and setting aside his saw long enough to plead with the nearby mockers? Just as Ezekiel would later say to Israel, “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezek. 18:30-31). Perhaps the Lord would show mercy. He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (Ezek. 18:32).

Didn’t Jesus also warn the people of their destruction? Even as He was being led to crucifixion, he told the women of their impending doom (Luke 23:28-31). Still like the people of Noah’s time, many ridiculed (Luke 23:35-37).

But in spite of the derision, Noah and Jesus continued their work. Noah built the ark, not only for the animals, but also to prepare salvation for those few people who heeded God’s Word. Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives—eight in all were saved from drowning (Gen. 7:13). Carrying the ark, the floodwaters lifted Noah and his family above the devastation. So also Jesus, on the wooden cross prepared eternal salvation for all people. Be-cause of His work, the water of our baptism now lifts us up and saves us from the devastation of everlasting condemnation (1 Pet. 3: 21-22).

At the time of Noah, everything perished (Gen. 6:17); likewise, at the end of the world, the earth as we know it will be destroyed (2 Pet. 3:10). Yet, those who believe and trust in the Lord will be saved, because He has prepared the ark of our salvation through His death on the cross.

After the flood, the curse was removed (Gen. 8:21). God gave us the rainbow as His unending promise that He would never flood the world again (Gen. 9:12 17). Likewise, Jesus removed from us the curse—the curse that we rightfully deserve because of our sin.

Now, because of Jesus, God will only give us His love. That is His promise to you. As God told Isaiah long ago, “This is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed” (Is. 54:9-10). Let the rainbow serve as a reminder that in Jesus we will never experience God’s wrath—because He has prepared our salvation.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Noah. Through him You saved one family from the flood. But I give You even greater thanks for Jesus, through whom You have accomplished eternal salvation for all people. Amen.