Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; I Peter 3:18-22; Mark 9:8-15

Covenant. Covenant is what has bound God to man and man to God ever since the days of Noah, but wasn’t Noah already obedient to God? Isn’t that why God chose him to be the one to build the ark in the first place? Well, yes, that is the truth, but after the flood (specifically in Genesis 9:8-17) is when the covenant begins: God promises not to destroy all of humanity with a flood ever again. As simple as that sounds, it’s even better than that; this is another sign of grace. God permits life to continue even for the ungodly; they get a second chance too, even if God’s wrath burns against them.

How great of a blessing we have to know that our God is faithful in keeping this covenant! In Psalms 25:1-10, we see His promises reiterated in deepest admiration and praise. This also reflects a principle that was true then: God preserves and instructs those who will be faithful and listen to Him. This was true for Noah, and he was most certainly not ashamed! Those who were washed away by the flood were brought to utter shame and ruin. They completely turned on God and chose to live their own pagan lifestyle as if He didn’t exist. That is what made Him wipe them out in the first place, but now we see in verse eight that now God instructs sinners towards the paths of righteousness. His grace is shown to us yet again.

Now, we turn to I Peter 3:18-22. God’s covenant is in the picture yet again. The world in Jesus’ day is still corrupted, including its religious system in Jerusalem. Now, God has sent His Son to die for all of the people, present and future, that they might have a chance to receive grace and be enlightened by God’s Spirit. Now, even more can be redeemed; in Noah’s time, only eight were preserved. How much better is it now that God has chosen to let us live no matter how wicked we might be sometimes! But it gets even better! Back with the flood, water was the conduit of God’s wrath and destruction, but now, it is a symbol of grace. When we go beneath the water for baptism, we do not die. We are saved by our plea for purification of our conscience that we might live for God through the power granted to us through Christ Jesus.