Genesis 8:20: Noah built an altar to God. He selected clean animals and birds from every species and offered them as burnt-offerings on the altar.
Observation: When we were teaching Noah's story in the Tree of Life (elementary Sunday school), we talked to the kids about how long Noah, his family, and the animals had been on the ark. I had never noticed before that they were really on the ark for almost a whole year! Talk about cabin fever...that's a long time in what must have been close quarters! I'm sure that Noah was thankful not only to get out of the ark, but for a new beginning as he finally walked on dry land. We also talked to the kids about the how the flood is symbolic of God literally coming and washing away the sins of the world. This, of course, is also symbolized in John's baptism we read about in Luke 3 today. But Luke 3:16 has the best news of all: Jesus came not only to wash away our sins, but to dwell within us and change us on the inside through the Holy Spirit.
What was Noah's response when he got off the ark? He built an altar to God, worshiped, and presented his offerings.
Application: We, like Noah, have been given a new beginning. God has given us even more than a new beginning, He has given us himself! How can I offer Him anything less than all of me?
Prayer: Lord, I am SO thankful for new beginnings, for your grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Thank you most of all for being here with me. I give you everything: my hopes, my fears, my plans, my victories, my defeats, my gifts, my faults, my everything. Mold me, shape me, change me. I love you, Lord!
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