Bible reference : Genesis 7 to Genesis 9.
At one point in human history, there was great evil on earth. God regretted having created man and decided to wipe out human beings, animals, reptiles and birds from the surface of the earth. Noah was the only just and upright man and he walked faithfully with God.
God decided to send a flood to wipe out all people and spoke to Noah. He told him to build a huge wooden ark in which Noah and his family, animals, birds, food and everything that God would tell him to enter. In this way, they would be safe and humanity would start over with those whom God chose to enter the ark.
Noah obeyed God and built the ark. The flood began and it rained for 40 days. Everything that was outside the ark died. The waters remained on the earth for one hundred and fifty days.
When the ground dried up, God gave Noah permission to leave the ark with his family, the animals, the birds, and everything else that was inside the ark. He gave them the task of repopulating the earth, of multiplying.
Noah built an altar to offer burnt offerings to God as a thank-offering for saving them. God promised not to wipe out humanity again by sending a flood, and He placed a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of His covenant.
To reflect: God is just: he punishes evil, but protects those who love him and obey him.
- Examine your heart and see how much importance you place on living a life of obedience to God.
- Do others notice that you love God? Can they see Jesus in your daily actions?
Meditate and read : Luke 6:43-49, Psalm 139:23-24, Romans 2:6, Psalm 37:28.