Genesis 8 -
Noah and his family entered the ark, along with all the animals that God brought to him.  It was the 17th day of the 2nd month, seven days after they had entered the ark, that the "fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened." 7:11
The rain poured down for 40 days and nights. Every living thing outside of the ark were "blotted out".

For 150 days "the water prevailed." 7:24
Then God brought wind and the water began to subside. 8:1

"In the 7th month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the Ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat".  8:4  ( 5 months after they entered the ark)

On the 1st day of the 10th month - they could see the mountain tops. 8:5
40 days later, Noah released the raven.
He released a dove, who returned and 7 days later released her again.. this time with an olive leaf in her beak.  8:11
Seven days later, he released the dove again, and she did not return.
On the 1st day of the first month Noah removed "the covering of the ark" and saw dry ground. 8:13
On the 27th day of the 2nd month they were finally able to leave the ark. 8:14-19

A year of living in the ark.  The animals were released "with their families".
Noah immediately built an altar and sacrificed an offering to the Lord.

God makes a promise to "never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done." 

We know that there will come a time when this earth and heaven will be burned with fire. But, until then God has promised "seedtime and harvest... cold and heat.. summer and winter.. day and night".

A new beginning was given for Noah and his family.
Since that time we have had all that God promised.
We also know that it is true that "the intent of man's heart is evil"... for all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard of holiness.

Yet, even then, God had a plan.. to send His Son to be our Redeemer.. to once and for all bring an end to evil.

Peter wrote, " But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people out you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." ( II Peter 3:10-13)

Father, we look for these things,  diligent to be found in Jesus.. in peace, spotless and blameless.  We regard Your patience to be salvation..Thank You for the promises to Noah and for the promises to us.
May we do Your will and stand firm in the Truth as we wait for the coming of our Lord. Amen.