2014-03-01 - Noah

Originally Published 2011-09-10

Noah was a good man living in evil times. God was so grieved by man's wickedness, that He decided to "wipe mankind, which I created, from the face of the Earth..." (Genesis 6:7, NIV) But then God remembered Noah, who "found favor in the eyes of the Lord." (Genesis 6:8) In fact, Genesis 6:9 tells us that "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." Then God told Noah of His plans to put an end to the wicked people on the Earth, and God instructed him to build an ark. Noah was tasked with building a huge ark.

This ship was to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. He was to build three decks. In Noah's time, this was a large undertaking. Noah would build the ark with primitive tools and manual labor. The construction of the ark must have taken a long time. Noah devoted himself to the task, and he demonstrated great patience in his efforts. His survival depended on his diligence.

Once Noah collected the animals and his family into the ark, God sent a great flood which covered the Earth. The only remaining living creatures were in the ark that Noah had built. Genesis 7:24 says that "The waters flooded the Earth for a hundred and fifty days." Noah had listened to God. He had built the ark, collected the animals, and taken refuge in the great ship. Now Noah had to wait. He waited for God to dry up the waters, while being stuck inside the ark with a boat full of smelly animals. Noah had to be patient. He couldn't change things by himself. He had to wait on God.

I think we can learn several things from Noah's example. First, we are to be patient while we are working for God. And secondly, we are to be patient while we are waiting on God to accomplish His works. God will accomplish His tasks - in His time. We are to patiently wait, maintaining faith in Him.

 Richard Moser, Jr
http://www.cfdevotionals.org