- Scripture: Genesis 8:1–8:22
- The Anchor: “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.'” – Genesis 8:21
Noah, his family, and the animals are waiting for God to subside the waters, and God finally does this. Noah sends out ravens and doves strategically to check if the waters fully subsided, and the ark finally lands on solid ground. As a result of this, Noah builds an altar and sacrifices some of every clean animal. I didn’t realize that Noah brought seven pairs of all clean animals and one pair of all unclean animals, but that’s besides the point. The offering pleases God, who says that He will never curse the humans with a punishment like this ever again.
Our God has so much mercy. He promises to never curse the ground ever again, even though our hearts are still in a similar, sinful posture. Our first song today in today’s service, His Mercy is More, says “Our sins they are many, [but] His mercy is more.” I want to truly live by this.
But living by this means that I have to live by showing others mercy when I am sinned against and when I feel injustice. Of course, God calls for justice, but our God is a just God, who ultimately spared us from sin and death, so this is our sign to show mercy to others just how God showed us and Noah mercy.
Reflection
- God promised never to flood the earth again, even though He knew human hearts would still have a sinful posture. When someone hurts you or does something unfair, how hard is it for you to offer them mercy instead of holding a grudge?
- Living by the truth that “His mercy is more” means letting that mercy change how we treat our friends. In your close friendships and personal conversations, how can you make sure you are lifting people up with mercy rather than participating in gossip or drama?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that even though my heart can fall into a sinful posture, Your mercy is always more. Help me to truly live by this truth today by extending radical mercy to the people who wrong or frustrate me, just as You have mercifully spared me. Amen.