God Always Remembers Us

"Today's Devotion" For May 2, 2005

Read: Genesis 6:1-8:1; Psalm 111

GOD ALWAYS REMEMBERS US

"But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him on the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded." (Gen. 8:1)

According to the Book of Genesis, starting in chapter 6, there was once a Flood that covered the whole earth. For many Christians and non-Christians alike, the story of the Flood is just simply a myth or fairy tale. Main stream science has dismissed the Flood account out of hand, equating it with a myriad of similar pagan stories that are extent in ancient documents and oral traditions. Ultimately, if a person doesn't believe in the inerrancy and truth of Scripture, it's not too difficult to discount such an account. The predominance in our day of the concept of evolution over against creation falls into the very same category. Yet, for God's people the account of the Flood and trusting in its veracity is really a source of great joy and comfort, for it points to the magnificent mercy and grace of God and the reality that He never forgets any of us.

As Moses describes the days of Noah in Genesis, according to the Spirit's inspiration, it was a terribly evil time in the world's history. Some have asked if it was worse than today or other times in history. No one, except for God, can answer that question. What can be known, however, is that from God's standpoint it was such an evil time that He felt compelled to destroy every living thing except Noah and his family (eight people in all), the fish, and the birds, wild animals, and livestock God told Noah to gather into the ark. After forty days and nights of all the waters above and below the earth spewing forth to flood the whole planet, the waters covered even the highest peak on the earth for almost a year, before the waters began to recede and the earth was dry again. Imagine the emotions of Noah and his family as they endured this situation. There they were in the ark with all those animals. They had no place to go and saw nothing but water all around them. They were existing in an inhospitable and uninhabitable environment. Truly the result of Man's sin was never more evident to any group of human beings. Although Scripture doesn't specifically state it, we can imagine that after awhile Noah and his family felt a bit alone and forgotten. And who could blame them!

And then Scripture tells us that God "remembered them," and not only them, but also the other creatures of His creation. He caused a wind to come up and begin to dry the earth. The waters recede and Noah, his family, and all the creatures in the ark eventually were able to get back on dry land. God remembered them. God remembers us. Nothing can occur in our lives that is so terrible that it will cause God to forget us. His love for His creation, especially for us, His special and personal creatures, whom He created in His image and likeness, is so great that He made a promise never to destroy the earth and all living creatures again by means of such a flood. So much has He remembered and loved this world that He promised salvation and has brought it into reality in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Our sins are forgiven and the "flood" of sin and unbelief all around us is overcome by the power of the Gospel. He has saved us and continues to save us each day. As Noah and his family were saved by the waters of the Flood, so also do we remember each day that we've also been saved by the waters of Holy Baptism. We belong to God. He is our Father, our Redeemer, and the One who makes us holy before Him. We are never forgotten, for He holds us in the palm of His hand.

Prayer: Father, there are so many things that can go wrong in my life that at times I'm so overwhelmed by them that I feel abandoned and forgotten. Forgive me for allowing such feelings to get in the way of my relationship with You, for they often reflect the weakness of my faith and trust in You. Remind me by Your Word and Spirit that You will never forget me, no matter what's happening in the world around me, just as You didn't forget Noah and all creatures on the ark. Strengthen my faith so that I may always trust that I am always in Your sight and, in that faith and trust be a bold and faithful witness to Your love in Christ Jesus to a lost and dying world. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
***************************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.