Session 46

Ever wonder why God showed you mercy?

From Genesis: A 7-Week Devotional

Have you ever wondered why God would choose to save you? Why does He choose to give us mercy instead of punishing us with death?  

Noah probably felt the same way in Genesis 7. When we read Genesis, it’s hard not to focus on the death and destruction occurring as the world flooded. It’s easy to overlook God’s mercy.

Noah’s family was safe on an ark he had obediently built while the world and everything he had known disappeared. Noah probably could not understand why God chose to rescue his family. How overwhelming and humbling to experience God’s mercy in that way.

Noah was blameless, not sinless. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And, Romans 6:23 tells us, “...the wages of sin is death…” Noah was a sinner who deserved death, like anyone else, but he was declared righteous and blameless before God because of his faith (Hebrews 11:7).

God didn’t have to save Noah and his family; He chose to. God made the world in one week. He could have started over, but in His mercy, God saved Noah. God’s mercy has rescuing power for people in trouble—people like us.

Mercy is different than grace. Grace is giving us what we do not deserve. Mercy is withholding what we do deserve. When Noah’s family could have been wiped out in the flood with the rest of the world, God extended His love, mercy, and kindness.

He offers us the same mercy and kindness. When we, like Noah, put our faith in Jesus, we become righteous and blameless before God. Jesus rescues us and gives us eternal and abundant life.

Reflect:

• Do you have a hard time accepting God’s mercy? Why or why not?
• Has there been a moment in your life when you put your faith in Jesus and declared Him Lord? If not, you can do it today.
• Consider where you would be without God’s grace and mercy. Take some time today to thank Him for it.