JANUARY 15: “ALIGNMENT PLEASES GOD”

Sincere worship and gratitude are powerful acts that minister greatly to the heart of God. When your alignment with God brings you completely on your knees in humble and sincere worship filled with thanksgiving for the innumerable manifestations of God’s goodness to you, you gain access in a unique way into the heart of God and there is no limit to what you would attract from that kind of spiritual atmosphere in terms of blessings, see Genesis 27:1-4,25-29; Luke 17:15-17.

In response to Noah’s altar and burnt offerings, which were a “pleasing aroma” (an expression of sincere worship and gratitude), God made a unilateral, unconditional promise to show mercy despite sin. He acknowledged that “every inclination of the human heart was evil from childhood” but, in an act of grace, decided that He will “never again curse the ground because of man” or destroy all living creatures with a flood.

This highlights God’s patience and commitment to preserving creation despite humanity’s persistent rebellion. He also spoke to guarantee the natural order ensuring the stability and continuation of the natural cycles necessary for life to thrive: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease”. This promise provided the dependable environment in which humanity can live and prosper.

Further to these, God blessed Noah and his sons, renewing the original creation mandate given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28, but with some significant modifications for the new world. For instance, in view of the fact that there were no other people on the face of the earth apart from Noah and his family, God gave them again both the mandate to be fruitful and multiple, and also that they have dominion over all the earth. A new dynamic is also introduced, namely, that animals and other living creatures will now fear humans, and human diet was expanded to include animal foods. While previously limited to plants, humans are now given permission to eat every living creature, just as they ate green plants. 

Following Noah’s response to God for all the favour he had received from Him and what that glorious response produced, what practical things will you do with all sincerity of heart to express your worship and appreciation to God as a way of pleasing Him this new year?

PRAYER: Begin to build your altar of worship to God right now. Put on it all your burnt offerings as you bow before Him in deep-hearted worship.