While the Earth Remains

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:22

Very few things in life are truly reliable. Reliability is the characteristic of being dependable and consistent. Whether it is a car, person, or technology, reliability is a much sought-after commodity. Imagine going to purchase items at a store, loading up your cart, only to find that the checkout system is not working. Thankfully, the Lord has given us many things in life that we can rely upon. One of those was given after a time of much uncertainty. In another example of God’s consistent grace, He reminds us that we can rely upon Him, as seen in one seemingly simple way.

The promise that God gives to Noah comes at a unique time in human history. The earth had become increasingly corrupt and filled with evil. Although the Lord is merciful and long-suffering, eventually He must judge sin. In Genesis 6-8, we see the Lord judging the entire earth through the flood. The flood is an interesting picture of both judgment and grace. It reflects judgment upon sin but grace in the sparing of Noah and his family.

“Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”[1]

The flood would have naturally caused Noah and his family to feel uncertain about the future. Would the Lord do this again? Would the next time be more severe? The graciousness of the Lord is seen in giving a specific promise in Genesis 8:22. Creation would start over through Noah’s family, but they would not need to worry about the stability of the created order. Each season would come uninterrupted. What a glorious promise from the Lord! Despite man’s inclination towards evil (8:21), the Lord promises that the seasons will never be interrupted.

“We’re prone to take for granted sunrise and sunset, the changing face of the moon and the changing seasons, but all of these functions are but evidence that God is on the throne and keeping His promises.”[2]

When we observe the chaos of the headlines or when life feels unstable, we need only to look to the Lord of creation. Every sunrise, falling of the leaves, and snowfall should serve to remind us of this specific promise from God. He is on His throne, ensuring that the earth continues as He promised. The continuation of creation is not based on human effort, but rather on the promise of God. May we simply rest in the stability of this promise today and every day.

Lord, often the world and my own life can seem unstable. However, when I turn to Your Word and this promise, help me rest in it. The world’s continuation does not rest on my shoulders, but on the One who sustains it. Amen.

[1] Thomas Chisholm “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

[2] Warren Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary – Genesis – Deuteronomy, pg. 52.