Noah lived at a time when people broke God’s heart. Human evil was out of control…from morning to night…it broke his heart. Gen. 6:6 (MSG). Despite living in a permissive culture, Noah made a real difference. His life was a counter-trend.
Today, the church’s biggest challenge is the widening belief–behaviour gap. How can we make a difference in the way we live our lives? Noah’s life is an inspiration. Here are a few lessons we can learn from his life.
Friend of God
Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9b). “Walking” refers to an intimate personal experience with God. Noah had a consistent relationship with God.
Noah was “intentional” in living his life with God and for God. It should have been extremely difficult, considering the cultural pressures around him. However, the “God-moments” of his life gave him purpose, direction, and courage.
As a friend of God, Noah reminds us to review our relationship with God. Jesus calls us His friends (Jn. 15:15). How spontaneous, stable, and strong is our friendship with God? Let us ask God to remove all the hindrances.
Favoured of God
Noah found favour in the sight of the Lord (Gen. 6:8). We can paraphrase the verse this way: ‘God liked what Noah did’ and ‘Noah did what God liked.’ The experience of walking with God helped Noah to be ‘singularly’ focused on God. He did not bother about getting a higher approval rating from his peers.
Instead, Noah lived “only” to please God. He challenges us to reconsider using our time, money, expertise, and connections to glorify God. As God’s people, our aspirations and goals must align with His plan. So whose favour do we seek today? How can we keep God as our only audience?
Faithful to God
Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him (Gen. 6:22). Ark-building was a grand project (Gen. 6:14-16). Despite being a builder, architect, planner, carpenter, engineer, etc., he was always good for a laugh. Noah’s peers derided him because ‘ark building’ was devoid of logic. However, Noah built the ark at the risk of embarrassment, unpopularity, and ridicule.
Moreover, the odds were against him. With not many to support, he was all alone. It’s always harder to accomplish something if you lack emotional support. The work required single-minded devotion and was extremely demanding.
And yet, while everybody was engrossed in merry-making and money-making, Noah remained faithful to God and His calling. He was inadequate for the task. And yet, he completed the task of building an ark under God’s direction.
Sometimes, God equips us to do the work He places before us. All we need to do is be firm in faith and faithful in our calling. Are we faithful in realizing God’s purpose?
Conclusion
Noah’s life was a counter-trend. Despite living in a decadent culture, he lived as an example. The lesson to my mind is obvious. An intimate friendship (walking) with God will help us live our lives holy and acceptable to God.
As a friend of God, Noah walked with God and remained faithful to His calling. We must not succumb to peer pressure. Being a friend of God eventually leads us to faithfully accomplish what He has entrusted to us in family, work, and mission.
Photo by Lipiński Tomasz on Unsplash
