So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:7-8
As presented on *The Lutheran Hour® by Dr. Dale A. Meyer, 1994
Recent natural disasters across the country—Hurricane Andrew, heavy flooding in the Midwest—bring to mind the days of Noah and the great flood. As Genesis 6 tells it, society had become so sinful that God decided to send a disastrous flood. But before sending the flood, God wanted the people to turn from the old ways and make a new beginning with Him. He didn't really want to destroy the people. He wanted to save them.
Noah and his family, just like everyone else, would have been wiped out, had they not accepted God's invitation to safety. God told Noah to build an ark, and Noah did. And then he offered the ark’s safety to others. But that old world was too busy with day-to-day pursuits to be concerned about his offer.
When the wind and water came, the door of the ark was closed and all perished, except Noah and his family. When the wind and the waters came from Hurricane Andrew and the Midwestern floods, the hearts of church people were open because God hasn't shut the door yet on this generation. When you enter the fellowship of the church, you'll learn about an eternal safety. The reason the fellowship of the church is such a safe place is because of the head of the church, Jesus Christ. He is the One-Who-Is, the One-Who-Was, and the One-Who-Will-Be. That is why Christ's church is the safest place to ride out every storm of your life.
Dear Jesus, in Your gracious love, bring many to the safety of Your church this year. Amen.
Taken from A Message of Hope: Proclaiming the Promise (selections from messages broadcast on *The Lutheran Hour, celebrating 75 years of proclaiming the promise).
Copyright © 2005 by Lutheran Hour Ministries
*The Lutheran Hour is the longest-running Christian radio broadcast in the world. It is a production of Lutheran Hour Ministries. For more information, visit www.lutheranhour.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Malachi 3-4 Revelation 22
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