Heroes of Faith: Noah and the ark.
Heroes of Faith: Noah and the ark.
Text: Hebrews 11:7, Genesis 6:8-22, Genesis 7:1-24.
Memory Verse: “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9
We have been looking at different heroes of faith from the bible; today we will learn about another hero called Noah and his story will encourage us to walk in the ways of God even when there are oppositions all around. His story will encourage us to keep the faith alive no matter how long it takes.
In Noah’s generation; people were so corrupt and lived in so much sin that God for the first time regretted that he created man and decided to destroy everything Genesis 6:5-7. Noah and his family were the only ones on earth during that time that found grace before God so he decided not to destroy them along with others. He gave him instructions on what to do in Genesis 6:13-17; let us see how Noah keeps his faith in God alive and escape destruction.
Noah was the only one in his generation that God decided not to destroy instead God gave him a mission to accomplish; we will call it The Big Mission. This mission was for Noah to build an ark where he, his family and two of every animal on earth will stay in during the flood. God was destroying the world because people lived in so much sin and wickedness; but he was going to save Noah and his family because Noah walked with him and obeyed him. God gave Noah clear details on how to build the ark from the type of wood to use (gopher wood Genesis 6:14) to the measurements.
When Noah started building the ark, people were wondering why he was wasting his time. He told them about God’s plan to destroy everything except whatever and whoever enters the ark; they did not believe Noah and thought he was mad. They kept mocking him and calling him all sort of names because he was building the ark and obeying the voice of God. It took Noah many years to build the ark according to how God instructed him; but he never gave up neither did he stop trusting that God was going to bring to pass all that he told him. Despite the mocking and harassment Noah received from the people, he continued steadfastly in faith and built the ark. Then according to God’s instructions in Genesis 7:1-3, he took into the ark all kinds of animals in twos. Don’t forget that while Noah was building the ark there was no sign of rainfall anywhere in the clouds, so it would have been easy for him to just stop and conclude that it will not rain but because he feared God, he continued in faith that God will keep his word. After building the ark it began to rain; Noah and his family and all the animals entered into the ark and were preserved for the forty days and night while it rained nonstop Genesis 7:7-12.
From the story of this hero of faith who took a bold step in his generation to obey God even when it looked foolish, the earth was preserved and life was restored to earth after the flood Genesis 8:16-17. This hero of faith because of his obedience made God promise never to destroy the earth again with water Genesis 8:20-22. From this story of Noah an exemplary hero, we have learned that obedience to the voice of God is possible and very important no matter how corrupt and wicked our generation gets.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to work in your ways not minding the opposition in Jesus name. Amen
Author: Sis Chiamaka Ebenezer
