Day 4: Love Waits
“God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.” – 1 Peter 3:20, New International Version
A Familiar Story
Almost everyone has heard the story of Noah’s ark. Perhaps in Sunday school you colored the stereotypical cartoon of the ark with two happy giraffes poking their heads out of the roof. However, I doubt many of us have seen a cartoon of all the people drowning.
The account of Noah (Genesis 6-9) teaches us several important things about God.
A Righteous God Will Judge Sin
Many of us highly value justice. If imperfect people can express such passion, how much more a holy and perfect God?
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished” (Nahum 1:3, New International Version).
When wickedness grows too great, it’s a kindness for God to stop it.
So, God sent the flood ... but it was slow in coming.
A Loving God Warns and Waits
Warnings are for our own good, to protect us from harm. In 2 Peter 2:5, Peter calls Noah a “preacher of righteousness” (New International Version). We don’t know how long his warnings went on, but it was probably many decades.
Peter explains, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, New International Version).
God gives everyone a chance.
A Gracious God Saves Those Who Trust Him
God saved Noah and his family from the destructive flood not because they were righteous, but because they trusted and obeyed God.
Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he ... became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith” (New International Version).
It’s the same today. God will judge sin, but He warns, waits and provides a way out to all who trust and obey.
Next: God gave humanity a fresh start through Noah, but like many of us, they focused on themselves rather than others. God did something about that.
Questions:
- How bad do you think the condition of mankind must have been for God to want to start over?
- In contrast to everyone else at that time, Noah was someone who honored and obeyed God. What does it take to be righteous when everyone around is practicing or affirming unrighteousness?
- Noah did exactly what God told him. Why is exact obedience important? What makes this difficult?
- How are the principles in this lesson true today?
Going Deeper:
- Read Genesis 6-9
