Noahic-Covenant.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Unconditional Promise to Preserve Creation

God’s commitment to preserve the world after the flood is a profound act of grace. Despite humanity’s ongoing sinfulness, God chose to uphold the stability of creation, not as a reward for righteousness, but as a gift that allows His redemptive plan to continue. The rainbow stands as a visible sign of this promise—a reminder that God’s mercy restrains judgment and gives humanity space to seek Him.
This preservation is not dependent on our actions or worthiness. It is rooted in God’s character and His desire to give every generation the opportunity to know Him. As we witness the rhythms of nature and the ongoing order of the world, we are invited to recognize these as daily evidences of God’s sustaining grace, calling us to gratitude and trust in His faithfulness.

Genesis 9:12-16 (ESV):
“And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.’”

Reflection:
What is one aspect of the natural world you often overlook that could remind you today of God’s preserving grace? How can you pause and give thanks for it?

Day 2: Renewal After Judgment—God Brings New Beginnings

The story of the flood is not only about judgment but also about God’s power to bring renewal out of devastation. The floodwaters represent a kind of “de-creation,” undoing the order established in Genesis 1. Yet, God does not leave the world in chaos. Instead, He initiates a “re-creation,” echoing the original creation by blessing Noah and his family, and giving them a fresh start.
This pattern reveals that God’s purposes are never thwarted by human failure. Even when sin brings destruction, God is able to restore and begin anew. For those who feel weighed down by past mistakes or the brokenness of the world, this truth offers hope: God specializes in bringing life out of loss and new beginnings out of endings.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV):
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Reflection:
Is there an area of your life that feels broken or beyond repair? Ask God to show you how He might be bringing about a new beginning, even in the midst of difficulty.

Day 3: God’s Grace Extends to All Living Things

Unlike other covenants that are limited to a chosen people, the covenant with Noah is made with all living creatures. This universal scope highlights the breadth of God’s common grace, which touches every person and every part of creation, regardless of their response to Him. The regularity of the seasons, the rising of the sun, and the order of life itself are ongoing gifts from God’s hand.
This challenges us to see the world differently—not as something ordinary or taken for granted, but as a continual expression of God’s kindness. It also calls us to humility, recognizing that every breath and every blessing is a result of God’s generosity, not our own merit.

Psalm 145:9,15-16 (ESV):
“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

Reflection:
Who in your life might need to be reminded of God’s kindness today? How can you reflect God’s common grace to them in a practical way?

Day 4: God’s Goodness Is Freely Given, Not Earned

God’s promise to preserve the earth after the flood is unconditional. There are no requirements for humanity to fulfill; it is a gift given freely because of who God is. This stands in contrast to other covenants that depend on obedience. It teaches us that some aspects of God’s goodness—like the stability of creation and the opportunity for life—are not rewards for our behavior, but expressions of His steadfast love and faithfulness.
This truth invites us to rest in God’s character rather than striving to earn His favor. It also encourages us to trust that God’s larger redemptive plan is unfolding, even when we do not see immediate results or feel deserving of His blessings.

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (ESV):
“It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

Reflection:
In what ways do you find yourself trying to earn God’s favor? What would it look like to rest in His unconditional goodness today?

Day 5: Our Need for Special Grace—Praying for Redemption

While God’s common grace sustains our lives, the persistence of evil in the human heart shows that preservation alone is not enough. We need special grace—the grace that brings salvation and transformation. The Noahic Covenant points us to our deeper need for redemption, a need that only Christ can fulfill.
As we notice God’s daily mercies, let them prompt us to pray for those who are far from Him and to seek His transforming grace in our own lives. Gratitude for God’s preserving grace should lead us to intercede for others and to continually open our hearts to the work of Christ, who alone can renew and redeem us from within.

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV):
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

Reflection:
Who is one person you know who does not yet know Christ? Take time today to pray specifically for their salvation, and ask God to show you how you might share His love with them.

Sermon Summary

This sermon explored the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9:1-17, placing it within the broader story of humanity’s fall and God’s unfolding plan of redemption. We traced the devastating consequences of sin from Adam to Noah, highlighting how quickly humanity descended into corruption. The flood was presented as both a de-creation and a re-creation, with God’s covenant to Noah marking a new era of grace and preservation. Unlike previous covenants, the Noahic Covenant is made with all living creatures, not just the elect, and is marked by the sign of the rainbow—a symbol of God’s promise to preserve the world despite ongoing human sinfulness. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing both God’s common grace, which sustains all people, and our ongoing need for special grace, which alone brings salvation. We were encouraged to be thankful for the daily evidences of God’s preserving grace and to pray for those who have not yet come to know Him.

Key Takeaways

1. The Noahic Covenant reveals God’s commitment to preserve creation, even in the face of persistent human sin. This preservation is not a reward for righteousness but a gift of grace, ensuring the world’s stability so that God’s redemptive plan can unfold. The rainbow is a visible reminder that God’s mercy restrains judgment, giving humanity space to seek Him.
2. The flood narrative is a powerful picture of both judgment and new beginnings. God’s act of “de-creation” through the flood is followed by a “re-creation,” echoing the language and structure of Genesis 1. This pattern reminds us that God can bring renewal out of devastation, and that His purposes are never thwarted by human failure.
3. The covenant with Noah is unique in that it is made with all living creatures, not just a chosen people. This universal scope points to the breadth of God’s common grace, which touches every person regardless of their response to Him. It challenges us to see the world and its rhythms—sunrise, seasons, the very order of life—as ongoing gifts from God’s hand.
4. God’s promise to preserve the earth is unconditional; there are no requirements for humanity to fulfill. This stands in contrast to other covenants that are conditional on obedience. It teaches us that some aspects of God’s goodness are given freely, not as a result of our merit, but because of His character and His larger redemptive plan.
5. While we are called to be thankful for the common grace that sustains our lives, we must also recognize our deeper need for special grace—the grace that brings salvation. The persistence of evil in the human heart means that preservation alone is not enough; we need redemption. As we notice God’s daily mercies, let them prompt us to pray for those who are far from Him, and to continually seek the transforming grace that only Christ provides.

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Noahic Covenant and God’s Preserving Grace**

---

### Bible Reading

**Genesis 9:1-17 (ESV)**

---

### Observation Questions

According to Genesis 9:8-17, who does God include in His covenant after the flood? What is unique about the scope of this covenant compared to others in the Bible?
What sign does God give as a reminder of His covenant, and what does God say this sign means?
In Genesis 8:21, what does God say about the human heart, and how does this affect His promise about the earth?
What instructions and blessings does God give to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1-7?

---

### Interpretation Questions

The sermon described the flood as both a “de-creation” and a “re-creation.” What does this mean, and how does it help us understand God’s actions in the story?
The Noahic Covenant is described as unconditional and given to all living creatures, not just a chosen people. Why might God choose to make this kind of promise, and what does it reveal about His character?
The rainbow is called a sign for both God and humanity. What does it mean for God to “remember” His covenant, and how should this shape our view of God’s faithfulness?
The sermon emphasized the difference between “common grace” (God’s preserving grace for all) and “special grace” (the grace that brings salvation). Why is it important to recognize both, and how do they work together in God’s plan?

---

### Application Questions

The sermon encouraged us to “spot the rainbow”—to look for daily evidences of God’s preserving grace. What are some specific ways you’ve seen God’s common grace in your life this week? How can you become more aware of these gifts?
God’s promise to preserve the world is not based on our goodness or obedience. How does this truth challenge the way you think about God’s blessings in your life? Are there areas where you tend to think you must “earn” God’s favor?
The flood story shows that even after judgment and a fresh start, the human heart is still prone to evil. In what ways do you see the persistence of sin in your own life or in the world around you? How does this awareness affect your need for God’s special grace?
The Noahic Covenant is made with all people, not just believers. How might this shape the way you view and interact with people who don’t share your faith? What does it look like to pray for those who are far from God, as the sermon encouraged?
The sermon mentioned that God’s common grace gives us “space to seek Him.” Are there rhythms or routines in your life that help you seek God, or are there distractions that keep you from noticing His grace? What is one practical change you could make this week to be more attentive to God’s presence?
When you see a rainbow or experience something good in creation, how can you use that moment to remind yourself (and maybe others) of God’s faithfulness? Is there a way you could make this a habit in your family or friendships?
The sermon talked about being thankful even in dark days. Can you share a time when noticing God’s daily mercies helped you through a difficult season? How might gratitude for God’s preserving grace change your perspective in hard times?

---

Sermon Quotes

It is easy to find bad news. Only bad news sells. Good news is not flashy and does not get clicks online. Our job as Christians is to look for and point out the grace of God in our everyday life.

The covenant with Noah is a promise of preservation, not salvation. God promises to allow the world to continue, even though sin has entered, so that the seed of the woman could come and crush the head of the serpent.

There is not a single person alive who is living without the grace of God on them. Those who proclaim Christ and those who deny Him all experience the gracious love and preserving power of our God.

The sign of the rainbow shines on all mankind, not only the elect. Just as the promise shines on all, the sign shines on all. Only God could have designed the world in such a way that rain brings the rainbow.

Noah, though he is a sinner, can be called righteous. This is only because of God’s grace. After the fall, our ability to earn salvation on our merit is gone and now God must work with us from a state of grace rather than works.

Even in the dark days that will find us, there is something to be grateful for. Spot the rainbow means, be on the lookout for the blessings of God big and small.

God does not give any requirements for Him to uphold His side of the deal. There are no blessings for obedience or consequences for disobedience. Only grace.

We never have to worry that the earth will be destroyed by our sins and mishandlings. God has promised preservation and He always keeps His promises.

Common grace falls upon all humanity while special grace finds God’s elect and brings about salvation. As we praise God for His common grace, we also run to Him as we see our need for salvation ever before us.

Adam started his existence in perfection and had a unique relationship with God, yet lived to see his offspring get to the point where God felt He needed to destroy the creatures He formed. Imagine the hurt that Adam must have experienced.

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Give me some sermon illustration ideas

Create a fill-in-the-blank worksheet

Sermon structure and transition feedback

Sermon application ideas