Genesis 7:1: “Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.'”

September 22nd, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

We love that God did not order Noah into the ark, but gave what seems to be an invitation: “Come into the ark.” Noah didn’t have to go, but he and his family did because they believed God. They walked by faith and not by sight. Because of the continual wickedness of humanity, the greatest storm this world has ever known was about to begin, as God prepared to remove the unrepentant people off the face of the earth. But before He did so, He had Noah preach for 100 years, giving humanity time to repent and return to God. But not one person, other than Noah’s family, responded. God issued a final invitation before the flood as He said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household.” This is the first invitation given by God to avoid judgment in the Bible.

Some have called the Bible a book of invitations. It began in the Garden of Eden and continues into the very last verses of Revelation. God is involved in the business of inviting people to come to Him for salvation. He also invites people to come for the help they need, for anything that they lack in life. This is the heart of Father God throughout the Bible, “Come.”

Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

God always eventually judges sin, but His grace (the undeserved favor of God) is always offered before judgment. Grace is still offered today. He still says, “Come.” He waits for our response.

“LORD, we are humbled by Your invitation to come to You, and we come, asking for more grace for today.”