Divine Beginnings: Grace, Promises, and Second Chances in Genesis 9

Have you ever desperately needed a fresh start? That moment when you're standing in the aftermath of a storm—whether self-created or simply survived—wondering what comes next? Genesis 9 speaks directly to this universal human experience, and it's far more relevant to your daily struggles than you might imagine.

The story of Noah after the flood reveals something profound about God's character: He leads with blessing, not condemnation. When Noah and his family stepped onto dry ground, God didn't remind them of humanity's failures or issue stern warnings. Instead, He blessed them, commissioned them to thrive, and made an everlasting promise symbolized by the rainbow—a promise that still speaks today whenever we glimpse that arc of color across the sky.

What makes this chapter so deeply relatable is what happens next. The same Noah who faithfully built the ark soon plants a vineyard, makes wine, gets drunk, and ends up naked in his tent. This startling juxtaposition teaches us that God works through imperfect people. The man chosen to restart humanity had significant flaws, yet remained central to God's redemptive story. If you've ever felt disqualified by your mistakes, Noah's journey offers tremendous hope.

The varied responses of Noah's sons to his drunken state—Ham exposing his father's shame versus Shem and Japheth covering him with dignity—challenge us to consider how we treat others in their weakest moments. Will we be people who expose and ridicule, or those who cover with grace? The consequences that followed remind us that our choices matter not just for ourselves, but potentially for generations.

Whether you're navigating a rebuilding season, trying to make sense of your mess, or simply needing reassurance that God keeps His promises even when you fall short, this ancient story speaks with remarkable freshness to your situation. Your story, like Noah's, isn't over yet—and it isn't defined by your failures but by God's unwavering faithfulness.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome & Introduction
• 2:42 God Keeps His Promise
• 6:03 When God Gives You a Fresh Start
• 9:57 The Rainbow Covenant
• 12:17 Noah's Stumble: Lessons in Grace
• 17:03 Personalizing Genesis 9
• 22:18 Closing Prayer & Invitation

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:10

Welcome back to the Divine Harmony Faith Podcast. I'm so glad you guys are here, whether you're tuning in during your quiet time, folding laundry, drinking coffee, driving to work or just trying to squeeze in a little Jesus between the chaos of life. Today we are diving into Genesis, chapter 9. And let me just say this chapter is full of grace fresh starts, a reminder that God doesn't give up on us, even when we mess up or life feels like it's falling apart. If you have not done so already, guys, please like, share, subscribe. It's how I get the gospel out to those that want to hear it and those that don't. All right, guys, I have a question. Well, more of a statement than a question. Well, I guess it could be both. Have you ever felt like you needed rest? That's the question. Have you ever felt like you needed rest? Or, if you've ever felt like you needed rest, like you've come through a storm and you're not quite sure what comes next, or maybe you're walking with God but still struggling to get it right. This message is for you, guys. We're going to talk about what it means to walk in fresh beginnings, why your life is valuable to God and how his promise still shows up in the middle of our mess. So just take a breath for a second, get cozy and let's get into the word together. So today's title is God Keeps His Promise. That's the title of our message today. God Keeps His Promise. It's a fresh start prayer. I truthfully believe God wanted me to talk about this today, and I just want to cover this word so that it reaches the people that it needs to reach, that I decrease and God increases, so that what is brought forth is of Him and not of me. So take a moment, a quick second. We're just going to pray real quick. So, father God, thank you for today, thank you for every person listening right now, whether they're washing dishes, whether they're driving to work or they're just sitting still with you, lord God, getting kids ready. Speak to our hearts through this word. Help us to see you clearly and know that you are still making all things new. In Jesus' name, amen, amen. All right, guys, without further ado, let's dive right in.

Speaker 1: 2:48

So, genesis 9,. It's strange, because this chapter came to me in my quiet time. God was speaking to my heart about a new beginning and he's letting me know that all as of today. And it's so strange, guys, and I'm going to be very transparent with you today because I truthfully believe God wants this to get out, and I don't know who it's for, but I just pray that it blesses whoever needs to hear it. But with me, guys, it's strange because I have been walking with Christ. God has opened up multiple doors for me recently with this podcast and writing my book and things like that, and here I was already thinking that I was doing everything that God has called me to do, and as of this morning, he has just wowed me and said you're in the middle of a new beginning. Do away and stop thinking about anything that you did in the past, anything that you did before. You are walking in a new beginning and with that new beginning comes new thoughts, new attitudes, new desires, new characteristic traits, new intentionalities, new actions, and that is what God spoke to my heart about this morning. So I just want to encourage you guys, before we get started, that if God is talking to you and he's bringing you out of an old season into a new season, you need to treat that like a new beginning, like a fresh start. The slate has been wiped clean. Anything you did in the past is in the past and you are moving forward in your new beginning with a clean slate. All right, guys, let's get started.

Speaker 1: 4:33

So Genesis 9 is one of those chapters I used to really skip over. Now I'm not even going to say so much Genesis 9, but the book of Genesis, and it's because and not the whole book, but like the beginning, part of it Because I always like these are the stories that you heard growing up. Right, okay, god created the earth Seven days. It was good, he rested. Like everyone knows, this story it's the number one story that you're told in Sunday school. So I'm not going to say I didn't read it, because I did used to read it, but I used to also skip over it. Honestly, if I'm going to be honest, it felt so far away. You know Noah, the ark, a rainbow.

Speaker 1: 5:12

But, guys, when I really slowed down, I realized that this chapter is about starting over. It's about making mistakes and how God keeps showing up anyway, and the Lord really had to bring that insight to me. So I stopped skipping over it and I started diving in it, like God brought me back to Genesis. It's the beginning, new beginnings. He brought me back to the beginning and he said dive in this study it. There's so many nuggets in here and the chapter is really powerful. So it's about starting over. It's about making mistakes and how God keeps showing up anyway, no matter what. So if you've ever like, have you ever needed a fresh start? You know, maybe you've messed up, maybe life just fell apart, or maybe you're just trying to figure out how to trust God again. If that's you, this chapter is for you and I will encourage you to go read Genesis.

Speaker 1: 6:04

Start in chapter 9, because he talks about blessings and new starts and a different covenant that he has with Noah. From the beginning he implements new things that they're able to do, and we're going to walk through some of those today. So let's just start with Genesis 9, 1 through 7,. Right, so God blessed Noah and his family after the storm, and in Genesis 9, 1 through 7, it starts with then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

Speaker 1: 6:38

I love that, because first thing God does after the flood is he blesses them. Right, so they were obedient. They listened to God, even when they couldn't see it, even when they didn't know what would come or what would happen. Even when God spoke to them and they may not have always believed, because a lot of times as just like we're all human, just like we do today, we have to see it. God speaks, but we need to actually see it in our lives and when he speaks to us, we have to trust in faith that things are going to happen, because we may not see it in that moment.

Speaker 1: 7:11

I love the first thing that God did, and what he did was bless them for their obedience. When you are obedient to God and you follow his voice and what he tells you to do, there's always blessing. In the end, he doesn't scold them or remind them of what they went through or what they did wrong, because I'm sure during this time of trusting God and being in this ark, there were probably things that went wrong. He didn't condemn, he didn't scold them, he blessed them. That's the kind of God we serve. That is the heart that God has. They've just been through a huge storm. Literally Everything they knew was gone, but now God gives them a new purpose. He says go, grow, fill the earth. That is his way of saying I'm not done with you. There's still life to live and listen if you're coming out of a storm right now, maybe a breakup, a loss, a mistake? God wants you to know the same thing. You're still here for a reason. He's not done writing your story. You're still here for a reason he's not done writing your story.

Speaker 1: 8:15

God also gives some rules. He tells them they can now eat meat, but not with the blood in it. Why does he say that? Because, I looked it up, blood represents life. And then he makes it really clear Human life is sacred. So not only does he introduce meat into the picture, because now they can eat meat, but he tells them about not eating the blood. Right, because he doesn't want them to not know how sacred human life is. So he's bringing that into play. And it says whoever sheds blood, human blood, for in the image of God has God made mankind. So whoever sheds human blood, for in the image of God, has God made mankind. It's a reminder that every person matters. You matter. That person who gets on your nerves matters. They matter too. We all carry God's image. Even when we're messy, even when we're struggling, god does not make mistake. We carry his image. We were made in the image of God. And he's reminding Noah and his family in the beginning, because they are starting I'm even saying we are starting anew. They are starting anew, okay. So he is reminding them. Hey, every single person was made in God's image. So no matter what you feel about the person, no matter what you see, no matter how they act, no matter how your brother is, no matter how your cousins act, no matter how that person acts on your job, they are all made in God's image.

Speaker 1: 9:54

Also, in Genesis 9, 8 through 17, god makes a promise that still stands. Now here's the part that gets me. Every time, god doesn't just say good luck, noah, right, go on your way. No, he makes a promise. He makes a promise to Noah and says never again will I destroy the earth by flood. I am making a covenant with you and with all living creatures that he would never do that again. And then he gives them something to hold on to a rainbow. Right, I don't know about you, but sometimes I need a sign and I am telling you.

Speaker 1: 10:26

I could be driving down the street and I see that rainbow and it immediately makes me think of God. Something so small to remind me that God sees me. And that's what that rainbow was a sign that God keeps his promises, even when the world feels shaky. So the next time you're in your car, you're taking a walk down the street, you're driving down the highway and you see that rainbow in the sky, remember that God sees you. That is what that rainbow represents. Remember that God sees you. That is what that rainbow represents. It was a sign that God keeps his promises, even when the world feels shaky. So when you're feeling that way and you see that rainbow, know that he sees you, know that he keeps his promises. Here's what's amazing the rainbow wasn't just for Noah, it was for all generation. It's for us today. That means it's for you too. Every time you see one, it's God saying I haven't forgotten you, I'm still here, I keep my covenant, I keep my promise.

Speaker 1: 11:23

And notice, this covenant didn't come after Noah did something amazing. It came just because God is good. That's what grace is, and that's what it looks like. Noah didn't have to do anything for this covenant, right? He didn't do anything miraculous. I mean, yes, he was obedient to God and he followed the calling on his life. Yes, he did that. But the covenant didn't come after Noah did something amazing. It came just because God is good. That's what grace looks like.

Speaker 1: 11:51

And then we get into Genesis, chapter 9. This is the root. This is where God actually sent me. This is where God actually said go and read this and do these things and live like this and act like this and receive this. This is where God sent me Genesis, chapter 9. Now we're going to talk about verses 18 through 19, when the righteous fall.

Speaker 1: 12:17

Okay, now here comes the part of the story that's a little messy, because, let's be real, life is messy sometimes. So Noah plants a vineyard, right, he makes wine, he drinks too much and he ends up passed out in his tent. This is the same guy who built the ark, the same one God chose to restart the world. And here he is, drunk and naked, in a tent. Guys, this spoke to me so much right now in my life, because I was sitting here striving and striving to do goodness, to do great, great things, to live righteously, to walk in God's light.

Speaker 1: 12:51

But it was all through works, in a sense, where I was like, if I stay on this path and I stay focused and I don't watch TV and I don't do this and I don't do that, that's what my mind started trickling into, and the enemy can use that, that worry and that guilt and that this and that to try to get you off the path that God has you on. But we serve a mighty God. And when I tell you he brought me to this and said I use Noah, a drunken and naked Noah, to start the whole earth over, to restart the whole world, guys, the same one God chose, who was drunk and naked that hit me hard the first time I really read it and understood it, because sometimes we think people in the Bible had it all together, but they were human, just like us. And honestly, no one reminds me of me, reminds me of myself sometimes. Here I'm just going to be honest. I've had days where I was doing so well, I was reading my Bible, I was praying, I was showing up for my family, and then the next day I'm short-tempered, overwhelmed, I'm crying in the bathroom. We fall, we stumble, but God still stays. He still stays.

Speaker 1: 14:03

And what happened next in this important story, this section that spoke to my heart so deeply? What happened next was Noah's son's hand sees him like that and instead of helping, he exposes him, literally and emotionally. He runs and tells his brothers, but the other two sons, shem and Japheth they walk in backwards and cover their dad without even looking at him. That's the kind of grace I want to carry, that is what I want for my life, the kind that doesn't gossip or shame but covers and protects. That is the kind of grace I want for my life, because love covers and when people fall short, we can either expose them or help to restore them.

Speaker 1: 14:51

Now, later, noah speaks a hard word over Ham's son, canaan a generational consequence. That part was tough, I'm sure, because I'm sure when he was gossiping and talking and saying what he was saying, laughing whatever he was doing because the Bible doesn't go into detail about it I'm sure he truthfully I mean because I could think about myself in situations in the past where you might see something as what's going on with her, why she look like that. You know anything. You're not saying certain things to be, you know, mean or to be devious, but we have to watch what we say. We have to cover those that are in need. We have to encourage and uplift them and be a covering for them. But what he said had consequences, generational consequences, and I know that had to be tough.

Speaker 1: 15:37

But what I take from it is how we act today can affect the next generation. That's what I gather from that, because although he cursed him, if you go and you read the rest of the chapters, it was a generational curse. The Canaanites came back and hated the Israelites and Israel they were against them came back and hated the Israelites and Israel they were against them. So it actually went off into people who weren't even born yet to generations. And I thought about that and I said, how we act today can affect the next generation. Our choices matter, but so does our honor and our grace. And let's make it personal. Let's make it personal for a second. And let's make it personal. Let's make it personal for a second.

Speaker 1: 16:14

How does Genesis 9 apply to you? How does it apply to you? How does it apply to me? Think about it. Your story isn't over yet. God gave Noah and his family a brand new start after the flood, and no matter what you've been through, whether it was a storm you caused or one you survived, god still has more for you. God sees you and values your life. You are made in his image, not just when you're doing great, but even when you're crying, when you're doubting or starting over. You are made in his image and he wants you to treat others the same way, with respect and care, even when they don't deserve it. So, personalizing Genesis 9, the first thing is your story isn't over. The second thing is God sees you and values your life because you're made in his image, not just when you're doing good guys, but even when you're doing bad. You have to know that and that he also wants us to respect and care for others, even when they don't deserve it. Because, guess what? The same grace that you want from God is the same grace that he expects you to extend to someone else.

Speaker 1: 17:28

The third way we can personalize this is the rainbow is still speaking. Guys, god's promise didn't expire. His word is not void. It is a reminder of how powerful his word is, that trillions of years ago he could say I'm going to put a rainbow in the sky and I'm going to leave it there so that you and generations to come will see it. And today we are seeing it. What a powerful God that can do this. We got to remember the God that we serve. We have to remember the God that we served. God's promises didn't expire. He's still faithful. He still shows up. So when you're feeling discouraged, look for your rainbow. Maybe it's a phone call, maybe it's a verse, a moment of peace, maybe it's listening to my podcast. He's always leaving signs of hope, guys, always. So when you're feeling down, look for your rainbow, because God said that he put that there as a promise and a reminder to us.

Speaker 1: 18:30

And four remember nobody is perfect, not even me, not you. Even Noah messed up, but God didn't throw him away. If you've made a mistake, or if you've made five, god's grace is bigger than your failure. Don't let shame have the final say. If you have made any mistakes in your life I know I've made plenty of them Remember that God's grace is bigger than your failure. Don't let that shame creep up. Don't let the enemy use that shame to creep up and speak a word into your mind and get you off track. Do not let shame have the final say.

Speaker 1: 19:15

The fifth way we can personalize this chapter 9, genesis cover. Don't cancel. Let's be people who cover each other with grace. Let's be women who say hey, I see you struggling, but I'm not here to judge you, I'm here to help you. I always say that God placed on my heart to have this podcast, that it is open to any and everyone that needs to come on and speak a word, that needs to get on and get encouragement. When I do my lives, when I do my conversations on YouTube and things like that, I see the struggle in my fellow brothers and sisters, but I am not here to judge them, I am here to help them. I want to be a helping hand to my brothers and sisters, and God brought me to Genesis 9 to teach me one, to encourage me two, and to three, give me confirmation. That's what he gave me through this, confirmation that the path that I am on is the path that he wants me on. But he says let me help you on that path, let me show you some of the things that you need to do or that you need to understand. Let me speak a word of life in you while you're on that journey. So, guys, genesis 9, it isn't just about a boat and a rainbow. It's about starting fresh, trusting again and remembering that, even when we fall short, god never does.

Speaker 1: 20:45

If you feel like you are in a rebuilding season, like me, if you're trying to make sense of your mess, or if you just need to be reminded that God keeps his promise, this chapter is for you, please, please, go and read it, meditate on it. Don't take my words for what it is. Don't, don't, don't just take me. I am just a vessel. I pray that I decrease and god increases to get it out to his people. But I want you to experience it for yourself. Go read the chapter. Let God speak directly to your heart. Let God speak directly to you so that you gain an understanding in your new beginning season if that is a season, that's your end Because, guys, I'm telling you, god spoke a word over me this morning and he told me you are in a new season.

Speaker 1: 21:35

This is a new beginning. The slate has been wiped clean. You are starting from scratch. Walk and act like you are. Walk and act like you have authority, the same authority that God gave Noah in the new beginning. Walk and act like you know what my word says, that you know who you are and whose you are. Walk in that. So let me encourage you, guys. Read the scripture for yourself. Ask God to speak to your heart. Ask him to let the words jump off the page and resonate within you, to open your eyes and ears so that you can receive what God has for you today. All right, guys, I want to thank you so much for joining me. I'd like to close in prayer.

Speaker 1: 22:25

So, god, thank you for second chances, thank you for the rainbow, lord God. Thank you, heavenly Father, for your reminder that you haven't left us and you never will. That every time we see that rainbow we can stand firm, that your word does not go out void, that you are there, willing and able, that you are with us, that you have not left us, that you have left us with a promise, lord, that that rainbow has gone across thousands and thousands of generations and we still see it today, and there's thousands and thousands of generations that's going to come until you come back, lord God, that is going to see that rainbow and know that you have not left us. So thank you, lord God, for second chances, thank you for your rainbow, thank you for the reminder and thank you that you never will leave us. Help us to be people who give grace, who value life and who cover each other with love. We trust you with our fresh start, lord God. We trust you with our fresh start, lord God. We trust that you know all, lord God, and that you will give us the insight, the knowledge, the understanding to walk the path that you have prepared before us, lord God. In this new start, lord God, I pray that eyes would be opened, that ears would be opened, that hearts would be opened to receive what you have for them, lord God, I pray that eyes would be opened, that ears would be open, that hearts would be open to receive what you have for them, lord God, so that they can go courageously in this walk. That they can walk courageously, lord God, that they can be courageous. In Jesus' name, I pray amen and amen. Guys, I never want to take for granted that someone listening knows Christ, because you can be long before you believe. But I want to encourage you and I want to extend this gracious offer that God has provided for us, and that is salvation. There's no special talk, there's no special wow moment. You just need to accept Christ as your blood and Savior, open your mouth and confess it, that you accept Christ as your blood and Savior. So in a second I'm going to just say some words that you can follow if you need a guide, but talk to God for yourself. Talk to God for yourself, pray and speak to the Lord. He is there, waiting with open arms to receive you. No matter what you've done in your life, no matter what you're in the middle of doing, talk to God. He is there, waiting for you. So please repeat after me if you are ready to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Speaker 1: 24:58

If you have backslidden or if you feel distant from God, pray this prayer with me. Heavenly Father, I know I am a sinner. I ask, lord God, that you come into my life. Renew a spirit within me, lord, light a fire and a desire in me. Accept me as your child. Welcome me home, lord God, with open arms. I repent of my sins today and I ask that you come into my life. Renew a spirit within me. In Jesus' name. I pray Amen and amen. Guys, if you have prayed that prayer, I want to say welcome home. If you feel distant from God, I pray that the Lord will strengthen you and bring you closer, that he would light a fire in you and a desire to want to yearn for him again. So welcome back, guys.

Speaker 1: 26:00

Get in a Bible-based church, a church preaching specifically from Scripture, from the Word of God. Get in a Bible-based church, guys. Get with some like-minded people, some fellow believers in Christ. If you don't have a community around you. You are more than welcome to join my community. You can go to my website, wwwdivineharmonyfaithcom. Every single way to reach out to us is on the website, through social media, through contacts, if you go to the contact form and you fill out.

Speaker 1: 26:31

I need prayer If you want to get on the podcast. If you just have questions, concerns, just want to have a conversation, reach out. That is what I'm here for. That is what God placed on my heart. That is my calling. That is what I'm here for. That is what God placed on my heart. That is my calling. That is my walk. I am here to support you. Reach out to me. I will pray with you. I will pray for you. I will help you find resources, whatever you need, but get in a Bible-based church, get baptized, get around some like-minded people that can encourage and uplift you. If you need a community of that, I have that for you as well. Go to the website, look it up, join me, connect with me. I am here.

Speaker 1: 27:07

All right, guys, I want to thank you again for joining and tuning in. I pray that this word was a good one for you. I pray that it spoke to your heart. I pray that God was able to use me in whatever way he saw fit. Again, guys, remember whose you are, remember who you are, remember new beginnings. God is able and he is still there, reminding us dearly that, without fail, he will be there for us and he will not leave. I love you, guys. God loves you. Have a wonderfully blessed day. Goodbye.