DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-01-09
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Genesis 7:5-7; 22-23;
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁵ So Noah did everything the Lord commanded him. ⁶ He was 600 years old when the flood came. ⁷ He boarded the boat with his wife and sons and their wives, to escape the flood.
²² everything that breathed and lived upon dry land. ²³ All existence on the earth was blotted out—man and animals alike, and reptiles and birds. God destroyed them all, leaving only Noah alive, and those with him in the boat.

OBSERVATION: There are so many reasons that we may desire more faith, for we’ve come through some of the most challenging times of our lives in 2020, and as we enter 2021 we are still struggling in how to deal with the unknowns. Often our faith is restricted by our willingness to obey, however in today’s Scripture we can see great examples of each of these. Noah is a well known Old Testament man of God, so let’s seek God’s face and expect to learn from Noah today.

APPLICATION: Some of you may remember the story of Noah, and/or the Ark, as told on flannel graft in Sunday School, while some may remember the catchy tune in that old chorus ‘Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord’. But in reading the account told in the Bible, God provided a few important reasons why He felt it important that we know about Noah in an even deeper fashion. My attention was especially drawn to two very important characteristics of Noah that could serve to improve my walk with the Lord, and I pray that these may also help you:
1. Faith – Things were really bad at the time – crime, mischief, partying and carousing – perhaps very much like we experience in some of our neighborhoods today. And although we don’t read where God spoke to everyone mentioned in the Bible, yet Noah had such a relationship with God that He told Noah how upset He was with His people, and that He was considering starting all over again. There was some mention of ‘rain’ – an unknown entity at that time. There was also mention of enough rain that it would cause a devastating flood. Unimaginable to Noah, but God said it, he believed it, and was willing and ready to act on any further instructions given to him. So the mystery continued as Noah was told to build a boat – a giant boat – larger than anything imaginable at that time. If we are given all of the intricate details of the conversation God had with Noah, then it is easy to believe that Noah instantly obeyed God without question, and was ready to begin the work assigned to him. Do you see just a tiny bit of faith there? Building a huge boat in the middle of the land where there was no water, and it will eventually work just perfectly by floating with immense weight in it? Wow, is that ‘FAITH’, or is that ‘FAITH’? Do we truly have ‘faith’ to follow God, and any command He may issue to us?
2). Obedience – Build a monster ship; Peculiar wood that must be used in construction, and precise measurements; Gather pairs of all animals, birds and reptiles to take on to the ship; Take your beloved family, knowing that you will lose everything and everyone else? While Noah followed all these things in humble obedience, I don’t see where he had any questions or suggestion on items that weren’t included in God’s plan. What about food? What about waste? What should he tell folk that are sure to come and make fun of him? What about friends and extended family that would be left behind? What if his family questioned the trustworthiness of this massive ship that Noah built? No, instead we are told that Noah did just as he was told to do. Can you do that dear friend? Are you in close enough relationship with God that you will do any and every thing that He orders you to do?
I can only desire that God would make me an extension of His love, His care for others, and faith so convincing that I would follow Him in humble obedience, regardless of the earthly outcomes and in spite of what appears to be insurmountable challenges. Oh that instead of worrying about how things are possible, that instead I would confidently and faithfully accept the powerful hand of the Father and just do what He says, for His glory alone.

PRAYER: Lord, I believe that You are well aware of our strengths and our weaknesses. You know why we doubt, and You know why we fail to follow Your commands obediently. Please forgive us for our lack of faith, even though You have blessed us to see, and read about many miracles You performed. Your Word declares that with faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains. You’ve proven Your strength, Your wisdom and Your might, and You have shown Your love for us in supernatural ways. So there is no Godly reason for us to doubt. Please continue to work miraculously in our lives so that we might have the faith of Noah, and so that we may act on Your instructions instinctively, just as Noah did. You are all-powerful and almighty, so we place ourselves squarely at Your disposal to do Your work, so that You may be glorified in our lives and through our witness. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!