Noah, whose name means "rest"
"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. And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma." Genesis 8:20-21a
It may seem weird, but when I read this yesterday, I was greatly comforted. Noah's arrangement of the altar, skill with the fire, or technique with the placement of the birds were not noted. Noah's sacrifice was not rated on a scale of 1 - 100%. Instead, his offering expressed his thankful and worship-ful heart - and this pleased the Lord. Praise the Lord that he does not view us as percentages between "failure" and "excellent." Praise Him that He views us as living beings made in His image! When we live in rebellion against His word & authority, we personally offend Him; but when we turn in repentance and faith toward Him, He mercifully accepts us with much enthusiasm, for He is the one who has drawn us to Himself! There is truly "rest" in the Lord.
Now I need to spend less time thinking in terms of performance scales and focus on what matters - God and His Creation and His work of Redemption. I need to keep centering myself on Psalm 22. Who is the Lord? What was the hope that he set before his eyes?
It may seem weird, but when I read this yesterday, I was greatly comforted. Noah's arrangement of the altar, skill with the fire, or technique with the placement of the birds were not noted. Noah's sacrifice was not rated on a scale of 1 - 100%. Instead, his offering expressed his thankful and worship-ful heart - and this pleased the Lord. Praise the Lord that he does not view us as percentages between "failure" and "excellent." Praise Him that He views us as living beings made in His image! When we live in rebellion against His word & authority, we personally offend Him; but when we turn in repentance and faith toward Him, He mercifully accepts us with much enthusiasm, for He is the one who has drawn us to Himself! There is truly "rest" in the Lord.
Now I need to spend less time thinking in terms of performance scales and focus on what matters - God and His Creation and His work of Redemption. I need to keep centering myself on Psalm 22. Who is the Lord? What was the hope that he set before his eyes?