Genesis 6:22-7:1

I am sure most of us have heard about Noah from our earliest days. Genesis gives us an amazing account of this heroic man. In short, Noah is asked by God to produce an enormous boat and fill it with his family and a wonderful collection of animals and birds. We don’t know where he lived, but it may well have been in the desert, where the whole idea of building a boat would have seemed laughably absurd. But Noah trusted God and was happy to do exactly what God told him to do. He is described as being ‘righteous’, which literally means he loved doing the right things.

I thank God for the people I’ve known who, just like Noah, have been happy to do apparently crazy things because they believed that God had called them. I think of the many doctors and nurses I’ve known who have headed out to poor parts of the world where their skills were desperately needed. The income they received was a tiny fraction of what they would have earnt in this country. But, like Noah, they were happy to be obedient because their priority was to serve God. I think of a number of successful business people who have gladly moved on from their companies simply because they heard the Lord calling them to do different work for him.

I have to believe that Noah had lots of doubts and questions as he constructed his surprisingly large boat. Being obedient to God is bound to trigger all sorts of very good questions. But Noah pressed on and, when the flood engulfed the world, he and his family – together with all the birds and animals – were saved. When we obey God, there will be lots of challenges along the way, but I thank God for the peace and joy he always gives to those who obey him.

Question

What would you do if God asked you do something really, really surprising?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for the inspiring example of Noah. Help me to be willing to be obedient to you, whatever you ask me to do, however surprising or difficult. Amen