Don’t you like coming to the end of a good story, all the loose ends tied up, the good guy wins, there might be a kiss, the music plays, ahhhh…

And that’s what we expect with Noah. Except, remember, this isn’t a story but a real-life account—

Noah obeys God and builds the Ark to God’s specifications. The flood waters come and Noah, and his family, and the living creatures on board are spared. (see Gen 6-9)

God gives Noah and His family the commandment to be fruitful and multiply and the instructions to take of the animals for meat (prior to this mankind had not killed animals for food.). God also says the taking of another’s person’s life is punishable by death (Gen 9:6)

Then, God establishes His covenant to never again flood the earth with the rainbow (it is very intentional and a sign of mockery that a certain group has chosen this for their symbol).

And Noah, the hero rides (or paddles) off into the sunset.

EXCEPT that’s not what happens (remember the Bible is real).

Noah starts farming, plants a vineyard, gets DRUNK and NAKED and then CURSES his son Ham (and Ham’s descendants, the Cannanites) for Ham not covering his drunk, naked self up and, instead, telling his brothers about their father.

God could have left out this part, but once again, we see the propensity of humans to sin.

(And by humans, I mean me and you. Before we start pointing at others, let’s remember every time we do we have four fingers pointing back at ourselves )

Let’s be aware that we can have a mountaintop experience, like Noah with God, and then end up drunk and naked soon thereafter if we aren’t careful.

I’m so thankful for the Lord’s mercy! And I’m so thankful that we have something Noah did not! Those who call Jesus, Lord, have the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

While God “walked with” many in the Old Testament, Christians have the CONTINUAL presence of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) who forgives us for our sins AND makes a way out for every sin we are tempted to commit.

But what if you’ve blown it? What if you’ve been drunk and naked and everybody knows it. Well, so was Noah and it’s recorded in the Bible for all to remember.

But, God’s mercies are new every morning!

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam 3:22-24)

Did you see that last part? We hope IN HIM not in ourselves!!!

Our past sins can be a lesson not a legacy because of Jesus.

We can make the u-turn! We can choose life and life more abundantly! (John 10:10)

We need to believe this for ourselves and for others. With God, nothing is impossible and no one is too far gone.

The key—WITH GOD.

Daily
With
God.

On our own, we are all capable of any sin we can imagine.

But as we surrender our will to His will One day at a time. Day after day. Year after year. Even after we’ve blown it. We find victory. We experience peace.

And that’s no small thing! What a Savior!

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