Noah Tells God Thank You 🕊️

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Join Noah as he recounts the amazing story of the great flood and how his family gave an offering to show God their heartfelt thanks. Discover why being thankful makes God smile!

Learn more about Noah's flood

A Journey Remembered: The Waters Recede

My dear children, gather 'round! Do you remember our grand adventure? Do you recall the mighty ark, floating on the vast, wide waters? The world was covered, wasn't it? But God, in His great love, kept us safe inside that strong boat – my family, and all the animals too!

It was a long time, but God always remembered us. He sent a wind to blow over the earth, and slowly, slowly, the waters began to go down. First, we saw the tops of the mountains, then more and more dry land! Oh, what a sight that was!

Stepping Onto New Earth

We sent out a raven, do you remember? And then a dove. The first dove came back, but the second one brought a fresh olive leaf! What did that mean, my little ones? It meant new life! It meant the earth was ready for us again! And finally, God spoke to me, saying, "Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh..." (Genesis 8:16-17, ESV).

And so we did! We all stepped out onto the fresh, clean earth. The birds flew, the animals scampered, and my family and I breathed in the sweet, fresh air. It was a brand new beginning! Can you imagine how happy we were? Can you feel the joy in our hearts?

📖 Noah Tells God Thank You Bible Verses ESV - Genesis 8:20 - 22

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse[fn] the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

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

My Heart Was Full of Thanks to God

Now, when we stepped out, my heart was overflowing with gratitude. I thought, "How can I thank God enough for saving us and keeping us safe through such a mighty storm?" I built an altar and gave an offering to God:

"Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar." (Genesis 8:20, ESV).

Do you know what an altar is? It's a special place we built in those days to show God our worship and our love. We built it with stones, carefully piled high. And then, we gave an offering of some of the animals and birds to God. 

This was our way ancient people gave offerings to God. This is how we told God a big, "Thank You, God!" It was a sacrifice of thanksgiving, showing Him that we recognized His great power and His amazing kindness.

God's Promise and Delight With Our Offerings

And what did God do, children? He became pleased when He smelled the odor of my offering:

"And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, 'I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

 

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.'" (Genesis 8:21-22, ESV).

God smelled our offering, and it was a "pleasing aroma" to Him. This means God was pleased with our thankfulness! He was happy that we remembered His goodness and showed Him our love. And in His heart, He made a wonderful promise. God promised that He would never again destroy all living things with a flood. He promised that the seasons would always come and go – planting time and harvest time, cold and warm, summer and winter, day and night – always, as long as the earth lasts! Isn't that an incredible promise?

💡Noah Tells God Thank You FAQ:

Why did Noah build an altar?

Noah built an altar to show God how thankful he was for saving his family and all the animals from the great flood. It was a special way to worship God.

What is a "pleasing aroma" to God? 

When the Bible says God smelled a "pleasing aroma," it means He was happy and pleased with Noah's offering and his thankful heart.

What promise did God make to Noah? 

God promised that He would never again destroy all life on earth with a flood, and that the seasons (seedtime, harvest, summer, winter, day, and night) would always continue.

How can we be thankful to God today? 

We can be thankful by opening our mouths and telling God "thank you" for all His good gifts, and by giving thanksgiving offerings and gifts to Him. 

It is important to tell God thanks, like Noah. 

Children, being thankful is so important. When we thank God, it makes His heart happy! It shows Him that we know He is good and that He gives us everything we need. Just like when you say "thank you" to Mommy or Daddy for a special treat, it makes them smile, doesn't it? It makes them happy to know you appreciate their kindness.

God is our Heavenly Father, and He loves to see our thankful hearts. When we are thankful, we remember all the wonderful things He does for us, big and small. It helps us to see the world with happy eyes.

Conclusion: A Thankful Heart Makes God Smile!

So, my dear ones, remember the story of the ark, the new earth, and especially, Noah's great thank you! Let us always have thankful hearts. Let us tell God "thank you" for our food, for our families, for the sunshine, and even for the rain. Because a thankful heart is a happy heart, and it is a heart that makes God very, very pleased!

🌟 Your Turn to Tell God Thanks!

What are you thankful for today? Is it your favorite toy? Your family? The sunshine? Close your eyes for a moment, tell God "Thank You," and make Him smile!

Make thanksgiving a brand new beginning, a beautiful promise, and live with a heart full of praise.

References:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles. (Original work published 2001)

Arnold, B. T. (2010). Genesis. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge University Press.

Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis. NIV Application Commentary. Zondervan.