January 17

Today's Reading: Genesis 8:1-22

A careful reading of the text indicates that Noah and his family were on the ark for a little over a year (compare Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:14).

When Noah and his family finally leave the ark the first thing they do is to make an offering to God. But, as we'll see in the next chapter, while God is pleased with that offering, even a righteous man like Noah has a sinful heart that will require continuing offerings and sacrifices. And even then those sacrifices only cover sin temporarily.

While God promises to never again strike down every living creature as long as the earth remains, verse 22 does indicate that there will be a time when the earth will no longer exist in its current state and there will be a final judgment on mankind. The good news is that if you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, you will not face that final judgment because Jesus paid the penalty for your sin on the cross. Take some time to thank God for that mercy and grace today.