The story of Noah in the Bible is a fascinating one. Here's a man that is in an extremely evil world trying to obey God. He has a wife, 3 sons, their wives, and they are just going about their daily lives. Along comes God telling him to build a big boat. What?? Why?? At this time in the world, they had never experienced rain; they would think he was crazy saying water was going to fall from the sky! The world had gotten bad...and when I say bad...it was an evil like we have yet to see in our modern times. God knew something had to be done, and He saw the heart of Noah and could trust him to listen, obey, and follow His instructions.
Build a boat, God said, and Noah immediately responded with, Yes, I will do it! But, with building that boat came a lot of questions from others. What was Noah doing? Why was he doing this? They mocked him and didn't believe him when he explained why he was doing it. Despite all the judgment, belittling, and disbelief from others, Noah and his family moved forward. They built the boat and began to wait. The animals came, the rains fell, and God shut the door. Noah and his family were faithful despite the persecution! He built this boat while watching those he loved reject God and His teaching. Genesis 6:22 says, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." Wow! If you read all of Genesis 6, you will see the specific details that God laid out for Noah. He was a righteous man who listened and followed God! It doesn't say, "Well...Noah thought about it and decided it wasn't a good fit for him and his family." No...it says...Noah did EVERYTHING that God commanded him."
What is God calling you to do today? It's probably not to build a big boat, but maybe it's as simple as praying more, helping your neighbor, or telling your family about Jesus, even if they make fun of you and are in disbelief.
Be a Noah! You may be doing things that don't make sense, but God knows what He needs and what He wants you to do to fulfill that. Be a Noah! People will think you are weird; you're building a boat, but you've never seen rain! Be a Noah! People are watching you; they want to know why you are doing the things you are doing! Know that it's hard in the waiting. While Noah built this boat, God was still waiting for lives to turn around. The work was hard, the people unkind, and Noah had to be frustrated while still trying to be patient. He was waiting on God, relying completely on God's direction and the strength to complete the task God had for him, no matter how long it took. Has God ever asked you to do something that is WAY outside of your comfort zone? Did you say yes, or did you say, "Lord, use someone else!" Did you build the boat, and now you're waiting for rain? Or…maybe you are too scared to pick up that first piece of wood and are afraid of what others will say. Do you think Noah wanted to build a boat? He had a wife and 3 sons, and you would think the last thing on his mind would be to build something that would take him decades to build! But he allowed God to use him, and the second God asked him to, he said, "I'll do it!" Whatever God is asking you to do, know that God already has the tools, the wood, and the materials ready for you. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and is ready to use you just as you are. If God is stirring your heart today and asks you to build that boat...say yes! God has you and can and will use you to fulfill his purpose! Don't just stand around with your umbrella and hope that rain doesn't fall! Get out that hammer, grab those nails and build that boat! When God asks...say Yes! Be a Noah!
