True worship is costly, but led to God’s covenant with Noah

 

Noah’s Deliverance

The phrase “God remembered Noah” does not mean God had forgotten him, but rather that God acted on His covenant. After months of silence and confinement, Noah’s story shifted because God intervened in His time [Ecclesiastes 3:11]. In the same way, even if you feel delayed or shut in by life’s circumstances, God has not forgotten you.

Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided (Genesis 8:1).

His remembrance brings action, restoration, and new beginnings. Just as the waters receded and dry land appeared for Noah, your waiting season will give way to God’s appointed time of renewal.

 

God gave Noah clear instructions about entering the ark, but not about leaving it. This silence was not neglect, but an invitation for Noah to exercise wisdom, patience, and faith. Noah’s use of the raven and dove shows the balance between divine guidance and human responsibility. God reveals what is essential, but also allows His people to apply discernment in the practical details of life.

So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore (Genesis 8:12).

This experience teaches us, in the season of waiting, one need to exercise, obedience - Noah He entered when God commanded, discernment — He tested the waters with the birds instead of rushing out, and patience — Even when he knew the land was drying, he waited for God’s final word (Genesis 8:15–16).

 

True worship is costly, but led to God’s covenant with Noah

After Noah left the ark he built God an altar to worship Him for His mercies and faithfulness. After months of confinement, danger, and uncertainty, the first act Noah performed upon stepping on dry ground was worship. He did not rush to build a house, plant a field, or secure food for his family. Instead, he acknowledged God’s mercy and faithfulness through sacrifice. Several truths stand out: Worship comes first, before settling back into life, Noah honored the God who preserved him. Worship is costly. He offered from the clean animals and birds, resources he needed for food and future multiplication. True worship always costs us something [2 Samuel 24:24].

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. ... (Genesis 8:20, 21).

True worship pleases God, the aroma was soothing to the Lord, showing that God delights in gratefulness, wholehearted worship. This was an act of trust.

 

By giving what he needed, Noah was declaring that his future depended not on what he had in his hands, but on God’s continued provision. This reminds us that after every “deliverance,” whether from trials, storms, or seasons of waiting, the right response is to acknowledge God first with gratitude and sacrifice. Costly sacrifice pleases God, because God Himself sacrificed for our redemption.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5:2).

We should give our bodies as living sacrifices [Romans 12:1], Give our resources [Philippians 4:18], give sacrifice of praises [Hebrews 13:15]. We should not offer to God, that which cost us nothing [2 Samuel 24:24].

 

God’s promise to Noah and mankind

After God smelled a sweet smell, He promised Noah that He would never judge the earth with a flood of this magnitude.

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease (Genesis 8:22).

The soothing aroma of Noah’s sacrifice symbolized God’s acceptance of Noah’s worship. In response, God made a universal promise, not just to Noah, but to all creation.

Key reflections:

God’s mercy triumphs over judgment. Though humanity deserved wrath, God bound Himself with a covenant of preservation (Genesis 9:11).

The rhythm of creation is secured. Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, these cycles would continue unbroken. Life could go on, sustained by God’s faithful word.

Worship moves God to covenant. Noah’s act of costly worship drew forth a divine pledge. It reminds us that our worship isn’t empty ritual; it invites God’s presence, blessing, and promises over our lives.

Assurance in uncertainty. Even after catastrophic judgment, God assured Noah that stability would mark the earth. For us, it’s a reminder that God’s promises anchor us through life’s seasons.

George Ruheni