Genesis 6

“ The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually … But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…  he did all that God commanded him.” (Genesis 6:5, 8, 22)

Self-righteousness is a trait I would have never dreamt of associating with myself. No one really would want to accept it. But truth be told, we all think we are perfect don’t we? We like to keep that sweet image of ourselves deep-seated within us so much so that anyone who points any wrong in us is quickly bashed down, ignored or hated. What would you do if everyone in the world knew the “real  you?”

God, however, clearly sees who we really are. When man fell and went about his ways, sinning more and more, God assessed the situation of man. He saw that every intention of the thoughts of our hearts was only evil and only evil continually. In other words, our hearts are bottomless pits filled with one evil intention after another – over and over and over again! Can you imagine that? Each of our hearts if split open and let loose could overly fill the entire universe with evil. It’s that bad.

I am always amazed to ponder on why a holy and pure God would take an initiative to save such wretched and deeply wicked men like me! It is one of those profound things that stagger me. Yet He mercifully and graciously promised and worked out His plan of reconciliation with man through  the life and death of His Son Jesus.The account of Noah and the Flood served to show the kind of punishment man deserved for his sins and how God would save some to be His people. Noah’s father had said that his son would be the one to bring them relief from all their  toil and labours of their hands.

Noah clearly foreshadows Christ in bringing the message of salvation from the wrath of God. In his day, people were called to believe that message and be saved from the flood. Something worse than a flood is coming  dear friends – God’s eternal wrath in hell. Yet through Christ Jesus, God freely offers us His Good News of Redemption. By believing in the Lord Jesus we will be saved and have eternal life with Him in heaven. Will you die when an offer so great, free, undeserved and unearned is freely given to you?  

Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 18:31)

RECEIVE THE GOOD NEWS TODAY!

Genesis 5

 “Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.”  (Genesis 5:29)

I often wonder what it was like that first day after the Fall. Guilt, shame, fear and alienation from God – I am sure those were just few of the emotions that surged in Adam and Eve’s hearts and minds.  They had lost God’s likeness in holiness and righteousness and were cut off from communing with Him.   But they had hope. God had promised them a Deliverer who would defeat the serpent that deceived them once and for all!

And so life went on and in keeping with God’s command to them, they “multiplied.” You see, though sin corrupted their ability to do good and please God in their spiritual walk, they were still able to fulfill His command to rule and subdue the physical world. And this is important to know because God will hold us accountable for what we do and what we don’t do in keeping with His purposes for us here on earth.

But things were not the same. Yes, their children looked like them but sin had distorted the image of God in them. Adam and Eve had been created in perfect holiness and righteousness, which they lost and their children followed suit! In other words, the children had the same rebellion and bent towards sin and like their parents, lost communion with God. Can you imagine the devastation that ripped their hearts knowing that if they had obeyed, Abel would not have been killed and Cain would not have been cast out by God? This is a solemn and sobering warning to parents. Remember that what goes on in your heart, mind and lives will have a bearing on your children – it may not be murder now, but eternal death in hell.

Living in such desolation and despondency, they had a hope. God had promised and they knew that unlike themselves, God would keep His Word and fulfill it. In His goodness, God began to reveal how He would save them from sin and Satan through the promise that He made to them in the garden (Genesis 3:15).  He also gave them another promise through the life and work of Noah which we will discuss later. Both of these promises were fulfilled in Jesus Christ – He alone is the “one who brings us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.”

You may be struggling with sin and the issues of life at the moment.  Be comforted!  Take courage and have hope in Christ. He is able to deliver you and give you the rest and peace you need for this life and the next. He says, ” Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)