Genesis 8:20-21 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
What is our first response to disaster? It is to “thank God” and begins to put our life back in order. Yes, we are thankful but we do not go to the “extreme” of stopping everything, run to church and commence a worship service. I suppose that is more than most of us are capable of, besides the deacons and elders would frown on all of us coming to church for worship throughout the week. It just isn’t done that way.
Noah had been put through a lot. God led him to prepare for such a day of disaster that no one had ever seen. He trusted God at his word and made the ark. Then he filled it with family and animals as God directed. Then for one hundred and fifty days they waited, watched and wondered at the immense scope of the flood. Did he sweat a little when the waters lifted the ark off of dry land and into the motion of the searching flood waters? I would, so yes, he probably did. The nights were dark and longer than he normally experienced. But that is the nature of trials and tribulations. They work at you and make a simple hour feel like a week.
Despite the experience, Noah’s first response when the waters subsided and the ark settled onto dry, solid ground was to worship God. Every other need and want was set aside to give worship to his God. What a wonderful example trust in God. That is what true faith exhibits. What a joy it is for God to see us worship him. Not just on Sunday mornings, but every day. Not just when we have overcome a disaster, but every waking hour. If you are not amazed by your relationship to God, you may not worship him as often or as thankfully as someone like Noah.
