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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Genesis 6:22 wherein we see the faithfulness of Noah laid out as an example for each of us.
Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Is it ever difficult for you to push through a task all the way to its completion? I have this problem with books. I don’t know how many I have started but never finished even though I might really be enjoying them. Knowing this about myself and seeing others struggle in similar ways, my admiration for Noah skyrockets. Here is a man who, all according to faith, worked on a project for decade after decade in obedience to the Lord’s command. He had specifications for a completely new and unheard of structure, thousands of animals to bring in and supply food for, and no support outside of his little family. One would have thought that he would have at least cut a corner here or there, but we’re told that he did ALL that God commanded him. This really is remarkable; we could learn a thing or two from Noah.
Consider first the details that he attended to. I know what it’s like to buy some sort of boxed piece of furniture or a toy for one of my kids that states in the instructions: “some” assembly required. Those directions can be intensely irritating, but usually after trying to do things my own way, I’m left with the job of actually referring back to the directions and re-doing what I had messed up. This is because the manufacturer knows the design better than I do…most of the time at least. With deck and roof and window and door and sealant instructions from the Lord, Noah could have, well, modified things. But he trusted God instead and we sure ought to thank him for doing so! Why then do we rearrange things when we’ve been given specific instruction from God in the areas of speech, thought, sexuality, gender roles, etc? Do we know better than our Designer? Not hardly.
Consider also Noah’s uniqueness in the world. He was very alone among those who had completely corrupted their way on the earth (v. 12). A local supportive church body wasn’t available. He couldn’t do a missions moment where he might speak of the greatness of God in a troubled land and the need for fellow believers to lend prayer and financial support for his building project. God’s word had to be enough for him. This could be nothing but a journey of great faith for Noah as he worked day after day building the ark, probably in the middle of a dry field. I wonder if you or I would trust God in a similar manner if put in Noah’s shoes. I don’t want in anyway to downplay the grace of God at work in him, but we miss something great if we aren’t challenged by the perseverance that Noah exhibited. Let us believe God. Let us learn from but not trust in Noah, who was a savior of sorts, but in the ultimate Savior who showed us not only faithfulness in obedience but perfection in everything. Let us commit to holding nothing back from Him and to giving Him our all from this day forward.
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