The animals gathered in pairs and trotted onto the ark as if drawn by a call only they could hear. There were seven pairs of each clean animal—like sheep, goats, deer, and cattle—and one pair of each unclean animal. Noah checked them off as they boarded: one pair of rabbits, one pair of camels, one pair of—“Ew.” He’d waved his hand under his nose and chuckled when he ushered in the pair of pigs. Surely his neighbors would believe now.
But not one budged. Noah’s heart felt heavier than the logs he’d hoisted to build the ark. How many times had he pleaded with them to believe and join him on the ark? With a thud, God honored their choices and sealed the door—and their fates.
Have you ever looked at the condition of our world and wondered how your children and grandchildren can walk with God when they’re surrounded by so many evil influences? Let Noah encourage you. He practiced righteous faith in an age of complete depravity. And he believed God would save his loved ones if he followed his instructions.
We know that faith is “the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Noah demonstrated faith when he “obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before” (Heb. 11:7 NLT). When the Lord told Noah to build an ark Noah followed God’s instructions, even though as one commentator wrote, Noah “had never seen rain, because it probably did not exist before the flood. He had never seen a flood, since floods could not have occurred without rain.”[i]
His awe of God overrode any argument his senses or neighbors raised. In reverence, he hammered amid scoffs and preached to an unreceptive audience.
His genuine faith caused him to bow to what must have seemed an outlandish plan. The Bible calls this the “obedience that comes from faith” (Rom. 16:26 NIV).
Jesus said: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them” (John 14:21 NLT).
God responded to Noah’s faithful walk and rescued him and his family in a most unusual way. Hebrews 11 describes Noah’s faith this way:
“It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith” (Heb. 11:7 NLT).
Sadly, like Noah, we can’t change other people’s hearts. But we can obediently live our faith. When we do, we demonstrate our love to God and experience His closeness and care in return. He will clearly guide us through the turbulence of our times as He did Noah. And that simple obedience may just rescue the people who matter most to us.
In a hostile world, a faithful life still points the way to salvation. Your faith may be the beacon someone you love needs.
Noah couldn’t change the world around him— but his faith saved his family. Your obedience still matters. #faith, #family Share on XBlessings,
Adapted excerpt from Little Faith, Big God (Leafwood Publishers)
[i] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Hebrews (Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute, 1983), 319.Sometimes I link to these great sites:
#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth, #SweetTea&Friends
Debbie, this is such an encouraging message! It’s so easy to think the world has never been so dark as it is now, and yet you are right: Noah “practiced righteous faith in an age of complete depravity.” What a wonderful example for us.
Lois, I’ve found great encouragement from these saints of old. Reading Noah in light of our times is especially encouraging.
What a man of God Noah had to be! To preach for 120 years without a single convert on something he himself had never seen. He didn’t even have the bible to stand on when the enemy would tempt him likie he did Eve. “Did God really say?” We have no excuse!
He was amazing! He didn’t see converts, but because of his faithfulness, we’re here today!
How true that is, Debbie.
Thanks, Yvonne.
It’s encouraging that simple, God-empowered obedience, can sine a light in a dark place.
I agree. We never know the ripple effect of our obedience. Noah didn’t save his world, but we’re here because of his obedience!
Thank you Debbie, that’s so encouraging as we see our grandchildren going the wrong way and feel so helpless.
We have 7 greats now and celebrating our 70th anniversary in June. You and Larry were a light to us in those early years at E Free. Lv Meade
Oh Meade, it’s so hard when we feel we can’t reach our loved ones. I’m reminded that Noah didn’t see the later fruit of his obedience—that we’re all alive now! May God grab hold of your loved ones and rescue them. I know He will reward your faithfulness. 70 years! How special! Congratulations to you both. You and Bob were special parts of our lives too! And every time you comment, you bring a smile to my face.
Such a good point that the Lord will see us through just as He saw Noah and his family through. He continues to rescue and guide and protect us. Debbie, I am so grateful.
Easter week blessings to you and yours, friend.
Thanks, Linda. And to you