Noah's Flood of Faith

Most of us easily admire Noah for his faith. He believed that God was going to flood the world. But there is so much more to the story. Have you ever considered Noah’s flood of faith through the whole ordeal?

Here was a man who heard from God and believed it was God speaking to him. That takes faith. Today we wonder if people who “hear from God” really have. And if so, how?

What Noah heard was not happy news – God said the whole world had become corrupt and that he regretted making the human race. Maybe Noah already knew that everyone else had become corrupt, or maybe God was using exaggeration to make a point. Either way Noah understood God’s word to say that every man, woman and child, those local and far away, had gone bad.

So what was the solution? God said, “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” (Genesis 6:17)

Can you imagine hearing Noah mumbling that God’s plan is extreme? If people are the problem, then take out the people but spare the land and animals! In the bible, though, we have no record of Noah doubting God or God’s plan. He had faith that God meant what he said, and God meant business.

So what ought Noah do?

God gave him clear directions: Build a mammoth ship. Build it two soccer pitches long, two houses wide, and five stories tall. That was huge. Even though Noah lived between the great Tigris and Euphrates rivers, he likely had never seen a boat so large.

God explained, The ship is not just for you and your family. It is also for two of every creature I have made. And after you build the ark, the animals will come to you to board (Genesis 6:20). Again, Noah accepts God’s claims as true. I can believe, like Noah, that the rains would come. But that the animals would come to board is miraculous. What was Noah’s resolve?

He does not push back. He does not stomp off shaking his head. Noah does not lament that his new career is shipbuilding. Instead, he gathers his sons, rolls up his sleeves, and gets to work. “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22).

Oh that we would be flush with faith like Noah! That we would listen to God’s voice. That we would believe wholeheartedly that God will one day make all things right and judge the world. That we – who are also corrupt – would believe in Jesus’ name and rely on God’s salvation. That we would rest in his promises of love and protection.

Faith springs up from a heart that is blameless. We read that “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). It does not mean that we are perfect, but that we trust in Jesus’ righteousness and the Spirit to transform us.

Lord, help us live righteous lives so we may have more faith in what you are doing. May we pause this new year to hear what you are saying. May we roll up our sleeves to act in faith on the plans you have shown us. And may we do so with a heart wholly devoted to you. Give us a flood of faith.

Throughout this Day: Boldly ask God to speak to you. Ask him for direction in all your plans and circumstances and be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.