When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah “Go into the boat with all of your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous. (Gen 7:1; NLT)
A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them. (Gen 7:16; NLT)
In prayer this morning, as I read through my prayer request, I had the title of this devotional written and circled. As I scrolled back virtually in my mind, I think I must have jotted this down over 4 months ago. I knew at some point God would give me the words to flesh this out and between yesterday and today, the words began to spring forth within my spirit.
This is a new year and if you have been following this spiritual journey that I have been on and if you have known me long enough, you know how much I love reading the Bible. This year me and one of my besties started a new translation where I referenced this morning’s scriptures from. After reading the experience of Noah and his family, I marveled at the grace God gave Noah (and his immediate family) during this time.
If you have never studied what occurred during that time, I recommend reading Genesis 6-9. In summary, the world had become so evil, everything you can imagine was happening at that time, similar to now. And in the midst of that, God found only one individual who was considered righteous; Noah. Think about that for a moment, only one person in the entire world had a pure heart, intention, and utter devotion to honor God.
Because of Noah, his entire family was spared and God provided grace (unmerited favor) to him and his family for Noah’s obedience and commitment to our Creator. That time must have been very chaotic and unsettling for Noah. I was imagining him watching his other family members, maybe friends, neighbors, business associates, and perhaps employees live a morally compromised life. He built that ark (large boat) by the detailed instruction according God’s commands. He did not deviate. This can only be accomplished by partnership with the Lord.
Noah was probably ridiculed and persecuted for building something that was never conceived of before. It was most likely a lonely experience, but he obeyed the instruction of the Lord. And, when everything was ready, it was God who shut the door of the ark and it was God who saved and prepared him for that time. Like Noah, God is preparing us for this time, but where are we spiritually really?
I believe that we are living in a time where we should have that Noah like obedience, faith when it does not make sense, and focus on the eternal implications of our daily earthly decisions.
Stay Encouraged.
Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.
Complete Your Calling 