With the forecast calling for several inches of rain and flood warnings posted all over our area, I couldn’t help but think of Noah at this time. Not just because he built an ark big enough to weather the storm but because there’s something timely and meaningful about reflecting on Noah’s life when the rivers are rising and uncertainty is in the air. Noah wasn’t chosen by God accident. Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8). His life speaks to new beginnings, strong faith, and steady obedience in the face of a world falling apart because of wickedness. The Bible says “every intent of the thoughts” of man’s heart was “only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). At the end of this week and with all the flooding happening around us I think it’s a good time for us to think about Noah and how He is great example for us for how to obey God and trust in Him.
Noah stands out to me as a great example because he walked with God. He was righteous and blameless in his generation (Genesis 6:9), not because he was perfect, but because he was committed. He chose the hard right path over the easy wrong way. He listened to God, even when the command might have seemed absurd to build a giant boat in a dry land. Noah says,” Yes, Lord.” Fill it with animals? Yes, Lord. Wait for the rain? Yes, Lord. That kind of faith and trust is rare and authentic. It’s the kind of obedience that goes all the way down to the last nail, and the last ant, skunk, llama, goat and iguana. When the flood came, Noah’s obedience wasn’t just admirable it was life-saving for Him and his family.
Noah’s story reminds us how grace, faith, and obedience make all the difference. He and his family were saved by all three, and so are we. Just as water lifted Noah and his household to safety, the waters of baptism lift us into new life in Christ (1 Peter 3:21). When we walk with God, we walk being blessed even when the storm clouds gather and the water climbs five feet high and risin’. So as we watch the rain fall and rivers swell in the next few days, may we remember the one who walked with God through the flood and let’s try our best to have faith and trust in God just like, Noah.
In Christ alone,
Alex Mills