Daily Thought for Thursday 7th May 2026
“This is the story of Noah. He had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. Noah had no faults, and was the only good man of his time.” (Genesis 6.9-10)
Two pointers
Leslie Milton
I wonder what the phrase “This is the story of Noah” calls up in your mind? I think of those pictures of an ark, straining to contain all the animals inside, two giraffe necks poking out the top, perhaps an elephant trunk or two emerging from the windows. Of course, a rainbow’s arch will be towering above it.
I remember years ago rehearsing Sunday School children to sing songs from “Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo”. When you think about it, it’s amazing that this is one of the Bible stories that we think of as suitable for children.
In all the threats and fears that we have in our world today, the story of Noah can sound quite different from the one that we learned in our childhood. It speaks of the calamity that comes upon the earth when people turn their backs on the goodness of God and the created world. It speaks about God’s compassion for the world he has made, and also the limits of that compassion. And, of course, ultimately, it is a story about grace and promise, about God who turns away from his resolve to bring destruction to the earth.
That dark potential for humans to bring destruction upon the earth is no less today than it was in the days of Noah. His story points us in two directions.
The first pointer is towards faith, trusting in the promise of the story. Even in the midst of war and social turmoil, even as climate change has a terrible toll upon our planet, the earth is under the protection of God whose will is for it to flourish. When we are discouraged, can we still act believing in this truth?
The second pointer is towards ourselves. God calls us towards repentance, to choose to live in ways that will bring renewal to the earth. The grace and the promise of the Noah story call us to take seriously the threats that are all around us, to work for the peace and the harmony of the created order. It demands our prayers, our action, our resistance.
Shall we pray?
Spirit of God, give us the faith and the trust we need to carry us through the difficult times we live in. Have mercy on us, and upon our world, so that your compassion, your grace and your love may overcome all that threatens and troubles. Amen.
Leslie Milton is minister of Musselburgh: St Andrew’s High Church, and convener of Lothian & Borders Presbytery’s Resourcing Ministry Committee.