Read: Genesis 8:13-22
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. (v. 22)
Summer is a season many of us look forward to. It may mean more time outside, extended daylight, vacation adventures, more time with family or friends, or enjoying simple pleasures.
As we learn in Genesis 6:6-8, the sin of humankind grieved God, “but Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” Noah obeyed God’s surprising directive to construct an ark. We can only imagine the winks and whispers that no doubt followed Noah as he built a huge boat on desert-like terrain, gathered food and animals, and kept his family on standby for boarding.
Once the rains fell, the sky and water would have seemed like a never-ending gray and angry mass. Noah and his family must have wondered when it would stop and what life would be like on the other side. Fortunately for Noah, his family, and us, God is purposeful and good (Rom. 8:28).
God highlighted his sovereignty with the great flood, and when it was over Noah took the first opportunity to build an altar of thanksgiving. God’s pleasure over Noah’s offering brought the promise that as long as the earth remains, summer will come!
Perhaps you have just come through a seemingly endless hard time. Maybe the floodwaters of hurt, shame, or loss have washed over you. The promises of God in today’s key verse encourage us to look to the summer-like light and warmth only he can provide. God was faithful to Noah, and he is to us too.
As you pray, praise God for his promises to you.
Joy Petroelje serves as the Advancement Operations Manager for CURE International, a global nonprofit organization. Aside from work, she enjoys spending time with her family, coffee with friends, reading, and traveling local trails on foot.
