2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 15

As we embark upon the third week of Great Lent, let’s glance back at what we have learned about God. He created everything that exists. We human beings have a special relationship with Him. Our ancestors fell from grace when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Since leaving the Garden, humanity has been plagued with temptation, pain, suffering and sin. That brings us to today.

One thing that has been consistent about God up to today’s reading is that He always makes good on His word. He told Adam and Eve they would die if they ate from the Tree, and the day they ate was the day they were removed from the Tree of Life. One thing has also been consistent about humanity. Every time God gives us another chance, we screw it up.

These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.  And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.  And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with violence through them; behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.  This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.  Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and set the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks.  For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall die.  But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.  And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.  Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you, to keep them alive.  Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.”  Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Genesis 6.9-22

This week I want to focus on faith. It requires faith to trust that God will make good on His word. If Adam and Eve had faith, they could have avoided eating the fruit. If Cain had faith, he could have avoided the anger in his heart that led to murder. Now, God tests the faith of Noah.

Imagine being Noah for a moment. You live your life. You have children and grandchildren. You know the seasons. You know what it takes to live in the world. Then God tells you one day that there will be enough rain to cover the entire Earth. Would you believe Him? Noah believed God, and built the Ark.

God has already told us what He plans to do. He will one day destroy the Earth. He wants us to be safe when it happens, so He provides a safe place for us. He told Noah to build the Ark. He told the Apostles to build His Church. When you read the story of Noah’s Ark, go ahead and ‘hear’ Church.