Our God, the Faithful God

A Reflection for Saturday, November 29 by Jessica deLinde Dyckman

Lectionary reading for 11/29/2025: Psalm 122; Genesis 6:11-22; Matthew 24:1-22;

Selected passage for reflection: Genesis 6:9-22, Genesis 9:11-17

Read

Genesis 6:9-22 (NLT): “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth! “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper. “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.” So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” 

Reflect

Our God is a mighty and holy God.  He is right and just, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. He is our God, full of awe and wonder, might and mercy, always faithful and loving. 

When we read passages like these, it is sometimes difficult to understand or comprehend why the Lord does what He does - whether that is in the ancient times of the Bible or even the times of today. How could suffering and sovereignty coexist?

Scripture says the Lord’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). He is and was, and is to come (Revelation 1:8). He is the Holy of holies (Isaiah 6:3) and is a faithful and good God (Psalm 136).

We may not know why God allows suffering. Still, we do know that He works all things - both good and bad - together for His glory and ultimate purpose (Romans 8:28). He is a God who keeps His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9) . We continue to see that truth throughout the Bible as His covenant love ultimately came through Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Savior (Hebrews 1:1-4).

The account of Noah and the Ark is an early example of God’s holiness, faithfulness, justice, mercy, and love. Noah believed God to be good and gracious, despite the destruction and the unknown that was before him. He trusted God and obeyed Him, even when it was hard to make sense of what was to come. And yet through it all, God proved to be a faithful, loving, and merciful God. We are here today because we are long descendants of Noah and his family. 

Genesis 9:11-17 (NLT): “Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.” Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.””

Even in 2025, we can still see God’s faithful promise to Noah in the rainbow after the flood.

Whatever this Advent season brings, take a moment to look around for God’s faithfulness. It is there in the mess and mix-up, the good and glory, and the smallest of moments. God is near, and He can be trusted to keep His promises. Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Savior, is coming back again. Today, we prepare our hearts to celebrate His birth. 

Respond 

• Like a rainbow in the sky, what are some visual reminders in your life of God’s faithfulness? 

• How is God calling you to be faithfully obedient in this Advent and Christmas season?

• Is there someone that you could encourage with your own story of God’s faithfulness? 

Rest 

Dear Lord, thank you for the visual reminders of your covenant love and faithfulness throughout the earth and within a rainbow after the storm. We ask that in this Advent season, you will prepare our hearts to hear from you. Give us courage to obey your commands, give us a boldness to share the Good News of Advent, give us a joy to celebrate what is ahead, and a steadfastness to walk in hard seasons. Help us to look for you in all of it! We trust you with our daily lives and all that you provide. Please show us your love and glory in the days leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus, your ultimate display of faithfulness. To you be the glory! Amen! 

About the Author 

Jessica deLinde Dyckman is the founding editor of “The Courageous & Kind Project” a digital media project dedicated to empowering women to live out their God-given purpose. She and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, with their son and daughter. Jessica is involved in her community with the Mom Community at Oak Grove, Main Street Church in Tucker and Main Street Christian School, Breathe Strong Cystic Fibrosis, and the Junior League of Atlanta. 

Find Jessica on The Courageous & Kind Project podcast on any major streaming platform or follow C&K on social media @TheCourageousandKindProject or www.courageousandkind.org.