OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

Thus did Noah; according to ALL that God commanded him, so did he – Genesis 6:22

NOAH's FAITH triumphed over diverse impediments in an era filled with corruption. By faith, he overcame the scorn, objections, derision and ridicule of neighbours. His obedience was ready, resolute and total. To construct such a huge structure, a prototype of which he had never seen, and to accumulate provisions for the living creatures must have demanded a great deal of care, effort, labour, and expense. Having set his hand to the task of building, Noah persevered and persisted till completion.

“By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God” (Heb. 11:7, Message).

God could have preserved Noah without putting him to any task or responsibility. Yet He engaged him in constructing that which was to be his means of preservation, as part of the trial of his faith and obedience. Noah had taken a great deal of pains to build the ark; then he was himself kept alive in it. God’s providence and grace always crown the obedient and diligent. God established His covenant of grace and preservation with Noah on the basis of his obedience to building and entering into the Ark (Gen.6: 18). Noah believed God, moved with godly fear and prepared the ark. His obedience secured the covenant.

The warning given to Noah is symbolic of a more solemn warning re-echoed to generation after generation, to flee from the wrath to come, which will sweep the world of unbelievers into the pit of damnation. Christ, the true Noah, has by His sufferings prepared the ark of redemption, and kindly invites whosoever will by faith to enter in. In Jesus name, may we hear and obey His Voice while the day of his patience lingers.