Go! And Understand God’s Heart Series

Go! And Understand God’s Heart

Introduction: A Tale of Two Verses

Throughout Scripture, we see a God who is both loving and just, a Creator who delights in His creation yet grieves over sin. The contrast between Genesis 1:31 and Genesis 6:6 presents a powerful opportunity to explore the heart of God. How can God declare His creation “very good” and later express sorrow over making humankind? To answer this, we must go deeper into His character, understanding His justice, mercy, and ultimate plan for redemption.

Today, our theme is “Go! And Understand God’s Heart.” We will journey through Scripture to understand why God’s heart rejoices over righteousness and grieves over sin, and what that means for us today.

1. Go! And Recognise the Goodness of God’s Creation

Genesis 1:31 (NLT) “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.”

At the conclusion of creation, God declares everything “very good” (Hebrew: ???? ????? tov me’od), which conveys completeness, harmony, and divine satisfaction. This means everything was functioning as intended—humanity was in perfect relationship with God, nature, and each other.

Psalm 19:1 (NLT) “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.”

The Hebrew word for glory (??????? kavod) signifies weightiness, honour, and splendour. All of creation reflects God’s majesty, showing His divine design.

Recognising the goodness of creation should stir gratitude in our hearts. Do we take time to appreciate the beauty of God’s world? Do we honour the gifts He has given us—our bodies, minds, relationships, and the natural world?

John Piper: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

2. Go! And Acknowledge the Devastation of Sin

Genesis 6:6 (NLT) “So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.”

The phrase “sorry he had ever made them” does not mean God made a mistake. The Hebrew word ????? (nacham) means to grieve or lament deeply. God is not changing His mind; He is expressing profound sorrow over sin’s corruption.

Supporting Passage: Romans 3:23 (NLT) “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

The Greek word for sin (?µa?t?a hamartia) means “to miss the mark,” illustrating how humanity’s choices deviate from God’s perfect will.

Sin affects everything—our relationships, our world, and our connection with God. Do we acknowledge the weight of sin, or do we justify it? God’s grief over sin should lead us to repentance.

A.W. Tozer: “The most important thing about us is what comes to mind when we think about God.”

3. Go! And Understand God’s Justice and Mercy

Genesis 6:7-8 (NLT) “And the Lord said, ‘I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing— all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.’ But Noah found favour with the Lord.”

God’s judgment is never arbitrary—it is the necessary response to sin. Yet, in the midst of judgment, God provides a way of salvation.

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.”

The Greek word for repent (µet????a metanoia) means “a change of mind” leading to a transformed life. God’s justice is always accompanied by mercy.

Have we repented of the sin that grieves God’s heart? His patience is an opportunity for us to turn back to Him.

Charles Spurgeon: “God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken.”

4. Go! And Accept God’s Redemption Through Christ

John 3:16 (NLT) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus is the ultimate answer to sin and God’s sorrow over the world’s brokenness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Have you received the new life that Jesus offers? His grace is sufficient to redeem even the worst of sinners.

Billy Graham: “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion—it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

Conclusion: Go! And Live with Purpose

God’s creation was perfect, but sin brought corruption.

God grieves over sin, but His justice is tempered with mercy.

Jesus is the ultimate answer to the problem of sin.