The Grace of God Shown to the World

²⁰And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  ²¹And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.  -Genesis 8:20, 21 (KJV) 

Here in southwest Virginia we have had a run of 90 degree days with little rain.  I have been afraid to cut my grass for fear it might die afterward.  Indeed, a little rain might be nice right now.  As Noah was approaching the fortieth day of rain I wonder if perhaps he began to think it might never end.  If he had grown weary of all the rain we would certainly understand.  Never since has the world seen such a large amount of water which covered the whole earth.  According to God’s promise we will never see such large amounts of rain again. 

When I consider the amount of rain which fell upon the earth during the time of the Great Flood I think about the power of God and His grace which preserved mankind and gave us another chance.  God knew after the flood humanity would again become corrupt and turn away from Him, yet He still allowed mankind to be perpetuated.  God’s grace has carried all the way through the ages until the present time, for we have experienced the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Because of God’s grace we have not been condemned.  Instead we have been saved.  I think of what God has done for us in this way; imagine a courtroom and you are the one on trial.  You are guilty with no hope of being found innocent.  You have no one to defend you against the charges.  The verdict is in; guilty as charged.  The sentenced is passed; you are condemned to death.  Just when you think all hope is lost, the judge himself arises from his seat, takes off his robes, and comes to stand beside you.  “I will take your place.” He declares.  “I will take the punishment intended for you.”  

All you have to do is receive the judge’s offer.  He will take your place.  This is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.  He came and took our place of condemnation upon the cross of Calvary.  Through faith in Christ we now have forgiveness, new life, a clean slate, and a brand new start.  We are no longer condemned, for as the Scripture says; “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).   

Thanks be to God who has washed us clean through Christ and has given us another chance.  Trust the Lord and walk in the showers of His abundant grace and blessings.