Genesis 7-9
This is what stood out to me today:
Genesis 8:20:
20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

The first thing Noah did when he got off the ark was to build an altar to God. By making burnt offering, this was his way of showing the LORD his gratitude. His first action was to praise the Lord. We are no longer required to perform animal blood sacrifices (that was taken care of by Christ dying on the cross to save us from our sins), but I am called to acknowledge God FIRST in every event. Especially the events that He has provided so graciously.

What about the events that I don’t think are so great? My thoughts on this is that I do not know the mind of God. I don’t see His big picture. This is hard, but I have been working on acknowledging God’s omnipotent power and foresight in every situation, the good and the bad. I try to praise Him for keeping my best interest at heart.

Take a look at verse 21 where it says that this offering was a pleasant aroma to God. Doesn’t that bless your heart to know that your offering of praise in every situation is not missed by God in the least. In fact, it is outright pleasing to Him.

LIVE IT OUT application:
What can you praise God for today? What ways has he shown you his Love, Care, Provision and Holiness?