Obedience Like Noah

📖 Suggested Bible Reading: Genesis 6-7

I did not have a “traditional” childhood. Though there were happy memories, many seasons were marked by instability, heartache, and confusion. By the time I reached my teen years, I was an honor student living a hidden life of rebellion. Tangled with the wrong crowd and feeling lost at fifteen, I transferred to a high school across town for a fresh start.

Through God’s providence, the first class I stepped into was biology, and the only open seat was next to a super-duper Christian girl named Jeanine. That one encounter changed the trajectory of my entire life. Jeanine persistently invited me to church and showed me grace and love despite all my rough edges. I rejected the idea of a relationship with Jesus over and over until I hit rock bottom. At sixteen, I was broken in ways only the One who created me could restore.

I cried out that I needed help.  I was giving him my heart, BE MY SAVIOR.  In a tearful prayer I told God that the next guy I date had to be the one I marry.  I was giving him my dreams, BE MY LORD.  A few weeks later, I met the boss and he became the man I married. Though my Christian walk has been imperfect, God has remained faithful for over two decades, and following His word has never led me astray.  In many ways, I felt like Noah, hungry to hear God's instructions on how to build my life.

In a time without the written scriptures, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). He walked with God (Genesis 6:9) and received His instruction. What God asked Noah to do was radical build an ark in a land where rain was rare. Yet, one defining characteristic of Noah was his obedience. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes:

"Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him." – Genesis 7:5

God saw Noah’s heart and established a covenant with him, saying, “You shall enter the ark you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” Noah’s family worked together in unity to build the ark, an act of faith that would save their lives and fulfill God’s plan (Genesis 7:13).

(Photo taken at the Ark Encounter)

When I surrendered my life to God, I didn’t know how to read the Bible, but I was determined to learn. The words of Jesus proved true in my life:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." – Matthew 7:7

Just as Noah received divine instructions, I did also through reading, studying, and the guidance of those who discipled me.

Married at the ripe age of twenty-three, I longed to build a home (an ark) that would be a sanctuary from the outside world.  I wanted traditions that pointed us back to God. My deepest desire was to have a family of faith and obedience.

Growing up, I knew about the God of religion, but somewhere along the way, He became my everything. 

His ways became the foundation of my world.

His presence, the anchor in life's storms.

His words, the compass guiding my decisions.

His rod and staff my discipline and redirection.

He is the source of my joy, strength, peace, and purpose.

Apart from Him, I can do nothing. Every good thing in my life has come from Him.

❓Reflection Questions

• Is God my Lord and Savior? What does it truly mean for Him to be Lord of my life?

• In what area of my life am I hungry to hear from God?

• Is there an area of my life that I have not yet surrendered to Him?

🙏🏻 Prayer

Lord, Noah was found righteous in Your sight because he obeyed all that You commanded him. May we be a family that delights in Your word and meditates on it day and night.  Tune our ears to hear from you.  Give us a hunger for your word.  When You give us instruction, help us to be obedient and walk in Your ways.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.