Faith Filled Father

Today is Father’s Day. We are here celebrating our fathers here on earth. But as we celebrate, let us not forget that our Heavenly Father is the ultimate Father that we should be celebrating! What ever good characteristic that you appreciate about your earthly father is a reflection of our Heavenly Father!

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

I. Faith filled fathers have vision.

A man and his young son were climbing a mountain. They came to a place where the climbing was difficult and even dangerous. The father stopped to consider which way he should go. He heard he boy behind him say, “Choose the good path, Dad; I’m right behind you!”

Noah was divinely warned of things not yet seen. Godly vision is defined as the ability to see things before they are. God opened Noah’s eyes to see the world as He sees it, and to realize that God was going to do something about it. That is Godly, faith filled, vision!

On our way home from vacation last year, Dewey, my father-in-law, pulled off of the interstate to switch drivers. In the mean time, he fueled up. The van had over half a tank. It didn’t really need fuel. But he decided to get fuel anyway. It was a good thing he did. We might have traveled five minutes when we ran into a wreck. It wasn’t just any wreck. It was a chemical truck that had turned over. The long of the short is it became a four-hour delay. We traveled less than ten miles during that four hours. Those that weren’t prepared ran out of gas, or needed to go the bathroom. It truly was incredible.

My point is this, just as God provides mothers with instincts about their children, God provides fathers with the ability to see things happen long before they do. You wonder why as children your dad would get so upset at you doing certain things, or hanging out with certain individuals? It is because God has given them the ability to envision what could happen.

A. Noah’s vision created reverence. It humbled Noah. It didn’t give him the right to judge

others. Instead of feeling righteous, I am sure what Noah felt was pity, sorrow for his fellow brethren. Godly fear humbles you. The only way we can walk with God is to be humble. Matthew tells us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” James tells us to “humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” He continues by asking, “Where do wars and strife come from?” He answers by saying, Mark’s paraphrase, isn’t it your pride, your self-centeredness?

Why did God choose Moses? Because he was very humble, more than any man alive. Num. 12:3. 2 Chron. 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name will ?????? . Is. 57:15 “ For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Why is it we need humility at a time like this? James tells us “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” We all need the grace of God.

B. Noah’s vision created resolve. He needed to resolve these issues in his heart. He had to decide up front what he would believe. He needed determination due to how others would treat him. Noah lived far away from the ocean. Why would anyone who lived that far inland need an ocean liner? Can you imagine the scorning, name calling, jeering, and mockery that Noah had to endure? That is why sheer determination is needed. Noah believed God despite his circumstances. Despite what others thought or said. Despite even how he felt! He believed it so much that it affected his life. He preached it to everyone. And he kept building the ark.

Today we live in a world that has a tendency to draw attention to the scientific and technological viewpoints. Our world implores us to trust and depend on what the scientific outcomes say. We should rely on our senses or feelings, to obtain comfort, pleasure, or possessions. Therefore the idea of God, and His coming judgment is overlooked. More often than not, the person who proclaims God is ridiculed. If science would point to God instead of itself, wouldn’t it be easier to swallow? If it would say, “Wow, God created earth. We haven’t figured out how. But we are trying. It looks like He might have used geometrics to create….”. But the truth is there are to few scientists who give God any credit. Nothing reflects who He is or His ability. In spite of the world not giving credit to God, we, who are His children must resolve in our heart to give God credit always!