God Moves for His People's Good

Genesis 8:1-22

Introduction

READ Genesis 8:1-22

In previous chapters we see Noah stood out from His culture

He truly believed God, wholly lived for God in a wholly ungodly world

His life no easier than yours

2 Timothy 3:12 - “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

This is what Jesus told Apostles night before He died

Christian life is a life called to stand out (sanctified)

Not a life of blending in

To live for God is going to set you apart from our culture

Our society needs believers like Noah – willing to live for God & boldly preach the Gospel

As Paul says, Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men (2 Cor. 5:11)

We know judgment is coming – we don’t know exactly when but we know it’s coming

We must warn

Hebrews 10:31 - “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Saying, God hates the sin but not the sinner

That may be true but the sinner goes to hell not the sin

Flood of Noah is a warning to us all of how seriously God takes sin

It is a call to sinners to repent & believe God

It is a call to believers to preach Christ

Account of flood doesn’t end in devastation & leave us questioning & without hope

Not like parable of Prodigal Son with no resolution but ending left for us to ponder

God tells us how this ends

What happens after flood is a glorious picture of God’s grace

It’s a magnificent picture of the believers hope in Christ

God Works in the Lives of His People

(Gen. 8:1-14)

A. God Works for His People’s Good (Gen. 8:1)

1. God’s attention brings you hope

Turning point of the flood account

Lifts tone of passage to one of optimism

Gen. 6 & 7 had us in midst of wickedness & destruction

God remembered Noah—important that God knows you

Not enough to know about God – must be reconciliation

Matt. 7:23 – And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

God knows His own, cares for them, favours them

Jn. 10:27-30 – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.

God never loses nor discards them

Looks on them with great favour

Ps. 80:3 – Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

In the favour of God is great hope

Jer. 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2. God works in His world

Doesn’t mean He forgot them, wasn’t distracted

It says that God was now ready to move, to act on their behalf

God thinks on man with the intention to work

He isn’t an outside observer to His universe

He sovereignly controls all

Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.—Jer. 5:22

Prov. 21:1 – The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

God been directing whole flood experience

As He watched over Noah so He watches over His people

As He governed the world & flood so He governs affairs of men today

Ps. 47:7-8 – For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

3. God works for your good

Special work in the world for His people

He works in you & through you

He works for you & for your good

Ps. 46:1-2 – God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

If these had been written at the time I am sure this verse would be plastered all over the Ark

Like Ark provided way of salvation for Noah

So, in Christ, God provides way of salvation

We must see Jesus in this event! (1 Pet. 3)

Each day He is at work

Eph. 1:11 – In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will

Works in us & for us with great power—resurrection power

If God is for us, who can be against us

Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world

NB: doesn’t say God remembered Noah for his faith or his righteousness or his obedience

Emphasises deliverance is of the mercy of God

Mercy of God is the key to Genesis 8 & 9

B. God Works in His Time (Gen. 8:3-5)

1. God will accomplish His plan

Rained for 40 days, water fully on earth 150

Time for water to recede & earth to dry

Total of 371 (or 378) days in the ark (~1 year)

No record of Noah hearing from God in Ark

God still at work outside though

God doesn’t have to explain Himself to us

We have such limited knowledge

When God was ready to end flood & begin with them He did

2. You need to be patient

1 year in Ark is a long time

They can’t see out

Being tossed by the waves

Then God causes a strong wind

E.g. ever seen sea waves in a storm

What seemed to be threatening (perhaps worse than the rain) actually God saving

Focus on this section is Noah’s patience

Waited on God for his deliverance

Were safe in the ark but not delivered

In Christ we are safe but not yet at our rest

Storms may buffet but we are safe

3. God can be trusted

Noah trusted God

Sent the birds out to scout – usual nautical method

Didn’t exit until God commanded

You can trust God

Eccl. 8:12 – Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.

God is working all for your ultimate good

E.g. Joseph, Wilderness wandering, Captivity, our daily trials

All are for our good—mold us to be like Christ

Rom. 8:28-29 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

You may feel like stuck in ark, blind & helpless but God is at work

C. God Works to Completion (Gen. 8:4)

1. God safely delivers

Ark rested safely & evenly in mountains

Desirable & convenient location

Allow easy spread of mankind around world

May seem like Ark aimlessly tossed about

God landed it perfectly - He placed it there

In Christ you’re safe from judgment

Sheltered, protected

He will land you safely home

2. God completely delivers

In ark was safety but they weren’t delivered yet

Rested means finished, complete

Just like God rested at completion of creation

Weren’t let out mid way through

No more destruction to come

God’s deliverance is complete

3. God finishes His work

So the redemptive work of Christ was finished

It is finished

Gen. 8:4—17th day of 7thmonth by Jewish calendar is same day as resurrection of Christ

Christ’s resurrection is promise of the completion of our salvation

1 Cor. 15:20a – But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

We are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.—1 Pet. 1:5

Christ (our Ark) will bring us safely home

Jn. 6:39 – This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

Col. 3:3-4 – For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Conclusion

Does God know you this morning? Is His face shining on you?

Today is your opportunity to be known, to enter into the ark of His salvation

We all will stand before God one day, will He recognise you as one of His own?

Outside of Christ there is condemnation for sin

In Christ, there is safety, hope & peace

Believer, God is working everything for your ultimate good

In buffeting of life, tossed to & fro you are safe

Though you may not see it, God is at work

He will bring you safely to the other side

Be patient, trust Him & obey Him

It is finished!