April 17, 2019 -- Genesis 8:20-22 -- Stable Christians in a Chicken Little World
/Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:20-22 ESV
Perhaps you have been following the news and know that the Ontario Government is taking the Federal Government to court in order to get an opinion on the new carbon tax. At issue is whether or not the Federal Government has the power or authority to impose this regulation or tax on Provincial Governments. However, the bigger issue for many is: climate change.
Remember the story of chicken little: “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”? We live in a time where the news is constantly claiming: “Climate change”. I heard one newscaster ask: “Is the Notre Dame fire a consequence of climate change?”
How desperately our world needs the assurances of Genesis 8. The flood wiped out all of life except Noah and his wife, and their three sons and daughters in law. Animals and birds were preserved on the ark. And when the waters had receded, God, the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth made this tremendous promise: “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
People of God we live with tremendous assurance. God will guard and keep our planet. Does this mean we shouldn’t worry about pollution? Absolutely not! We are to be stewards of this creation and care for the creation and the animals, plants and forests and plains, lakes and oceans.
Noah and his descendants would have had to cling to the promises of God as the global climate cooled after the Flood and those conditions then led to an Ice Age. (Please read the linked article below.) Again there would have been a massive die-off as many species of animals preserved on the ark, would have perished unable to adapt to the cold.
Today, it is the height of man’s hubris (excessive pride or self-confidence) to believe that we can control the climate. It is the King of Heaven and Earth Who rules over and appoints the seasons and governs the climate. Our place is to serve Him. As was stated earlier, of course we should be caretakers and wise such that we restrict our polluting activities.
The point for Christians is this: we are sure of God’s care. We know He spared humanity in the time of the Flood through Noah. He spared humanity through the Ice Age. He is bringing all history to its rightful conclusion when Jesus returns. Until Jesus returns we have every opportunity to turn to Him, trust Him and worship Him. Christians know our life’s purpose is to serve God and enjoy Him forever. There is no greater purpose and no greater assurance than to live for Him.
Increase our faith, Spirit of God, so that we will trust the Word and look to God for His governance and protection. Thank You, Father for the assurance that summer and winter, seed time and harvest will continue until Jesus returns. Lord Jesus, thank You, for the new life that is ours in Your Name. Increase our faith, Spirit of God, so that we will live for Jesus faithfully in every part of our life. Give us holy boldness as Christians to proclaim Your Truth to a world chasing after vanities. Amen.
