PORTICO Community Church

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The Divine Reset

Understanding The Great Flood

The narrative of Noah and the Great Flood unfolds in Genesis 6:5-9, providing profound insights into God's intervention to reset humanity. The human heart had deviated from God's intended path, plunging into a state of pervasive wickedness.

"The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil." Genesis 6:5 (NLT)

Faced with the corruption of His creation, God's response is clear:

"So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the Lord said, 'I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.'" Genesis 6:6-7 (NLT)

God's sorrow is palpable, and His decision to bring about a reset stems from His justice and righteous response to humanity's unrelenting evil.

In the midst of this divine decision, we are introduced to Noah:

"But Noah found favor with the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God." Genesis 6:8-9 (NLT)

Noah's righteousness becomes the beacon of hope amid the impending judgment. His obedience and relationship with God set him apart as the chosen vessel for the preservation of life.

Genesis 7:12 (NLT) marks the onset of the flood: "The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights."

This period becomes symbolic—a time of cleansing, renewal, and divine reset. The waters of the flood wash away the corruption, paving the way for a fresh start.

In the aftermath of the flood, God establishes a covenant, promising never again to destroy the earth in such a manner.

"I confirm my covenant with you: Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth." Genesis 9:11 (NLT)

The rainbow becomes the enduring sign of this covenant—a symbol of God's grace, mercy, and the opportunity for humanity to walk in renewed relationship with Him.

The Great Flood stands as a pivotal moment in biblical history—a divine intervention to reset humanity. Amid judgment, God's grace shines through in the form of Noah, the righteous remnant, and the promise of a new beginning. It becomes a powerful narrative of redemption, underscoring God's enduring commitment to guide, protect, and renew His creation.