Genesis 8: 20-22

Yet another demonstration of how God delights in those who choose to honour him. As we saw with Abel's offering, it pleases God when we give him our best. Noah's first thought when he left the ark was to build an alter to the Lord and to make an offering. How tempting it would have been to put his own needs first. Huge questions loomed over him, 'where will I live, what will I live in, how will I feed my family?', yet in the face of those uncertainties he made his priority to worship God. Is there any better example of how to face the uncertainties of tomorrow? It is our tendency to marginalise God when we face the pressures of life. By busying ourselves we somehow think we can succeed in our own strength. It might seem to make sense to search relentlessly for work when we face unemployment, to work longer and harder when the bills can't be paid or to study on Sundays when our exams loom. How often do we stop and build an alter when the pressures of life close in? How often do we make space for the sacrifice of praise? Noah's faith demonstrates to us the importance of choosing the right priority.

God's response to Noah's faith is delight. His offering is sweet to Lord's senses. It pleased God. Can you think of any greater joy than bringing delight to your creator? Can their be a higher aspiration? Oh that we would know what it means to give our best for Him.

God's response is to offer Noah grace and certainty for the future. He promises to never again destroy the earth in this way despite the wickedness of man's heart. In other words, 'even though your offspring might deserve this kind of judgment Noah, I will show mercy to them'. God promises to endure with us despite our inclination towards evil. He will give us the opportunity to turn to him for healing. What grace.