Noah
January 13
Genesis 7:11-24
Rain, rain and more rain
When God shut and sealed the door of the ark, it started raining! It rained and rained, and the water streams under the earth burst open too. Slowly, but steadily, the water rose, and soon the big boat started to float. Within days the water covered the tallest trees, and some days later, the water had covered the highest mountain.
Are floods and earthquakes the judgment of God?
In the time of Noah, the people’s wickedness was getting worse and worse. God decided to use a flood to give goodness a chance to rule on the earth again. At that time, only Noah was good—and he was already old. What do you think would have happened if Noah died and only the wicked were left to rule on earth?
After the flood, the people slowly increased again, and they moved to different parts of the world. Some believed in God, but many did not. Today, the Church of Jesus is unstoppable! Jesus Himself said, “I will build my church, and even the gates of hell won’t be able to stand against it.” God is allowing goodness and evil to ‘grow’ side by side like good plants and weeds that grow next to each other (Matthew 13:24-30).
Floods and other natural disasters happening in the world today are not the same as God’s judgment in Noah’s time. Usually, disasters also affect those who believe in God.
Next time you hear of a flood or an earthquake or a hurricane, pray that those going through a difficult time will turn to God and be helped in their time of trouble.
Verse for today
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22
