Our Scripture reading today is Genesis 8:20-22.
Verse 20, "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
This was no doubt an absolutely amazing moment for Noah and his family. In the first place, being told to build an ark was not in Noah's plans for that year. What is an ark and why do we need one?? By faith, Noah would build this floating device all the while preaching a message that no one outside of his family would believe. Noah and his family have just completed their cruise and it was a life saving one. They were protected from God's wrath by being on the boat. This brings us to the altar in verse 20. What I would like to point out is the timing of the altar. There is NO delay in giving God thanks for His protection and provision. The very first thing Noah does is give God thanks.
What a beautiful testimony for us today. We can and should start every day with giving God thanks. His mercies continue to be new every morning and His faithfulness will always be great. If you are a child of God, you too are safe from the wrath of God. While we are not in an ark, we are in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.") and this makes us eternally secure. Praise God!