Series: Finding Favor With God [#2]
OBEDIENT FAITH IN THE STORM
Genesis 7:1-24
Introduction:
Tonight, is a great teaching about trusting God and obeying Him, even when life is hard and stormy. Imagine being told to build an ark, even though there is no sign of rain or flood anywhere. That is what Noah did. The story of Noah is not just about a boat or a flood- It is about trusting God's Words and obeying Him, even when we do not understand or when others might doubt us. Just like Noah, we are called to believe God's promises and follow Him, especially during difficult times. When life’s storms come, our faith in God's Word helps us stay strong and see His plan unfold.
Genesis 7:1
Obedience…
1. Precedes God’s favor.
God told Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” This shows us that obedience is important before God’s favor comes. Noah’s choice to follow God’s instructions, even though the World was full of evil, teaches us that God's blessings often come to those who trust and obey Him, especially when things are difficult. When we obey God, it shows our faith in Him, and that opens the way for His blessings. Knowing this encourages us to stay faithful every day, trusting that God will bless us even during tough times or storms.
Practically, this means we should work on obeying God in every part of our lives. Just like Noah’s obedience protected his family and helped him survive the storm, our faithfulness can help us through our own struggles. By choosing to obey God, we show others what it means to trust Him, and it helps us stay close to His plan. When we obey, we position ourselves to receive God's help, protection, and blessings, even when life feels chaotic. Following Jesus’ example of obedience can lead us to salvation and God's favor, helping us stay strong and faithful no matter how bad the storm gets.
Genesis 7:1-5
Obedience…
2. Demonstrates faith in God’s Word.
Obedience teaches us that faith and trust in God's Word go hand in hand. When God told Noah to build the ark and bring his family and animals, Noah trusted that God's instructions were right. His obedience was a way of showing he believed God's promises and trusted His plan, even when he didn’t fully understand everything. By obeying God's commands, Noah showed that real faith means actively trusting and following what God says, knowing that His way leads to safety and protection during difficult times.
Practically, this reminds us to trust and obey God every day, especially when life gets hard. Just like Noah believed God's Word even when the task seemed big and the future uncertain, we are called to rely on God's promises and follow His instructions no matter what we face. Our obedience can show others that God is faithful and that we depend on Him, not ourselves. So, we should listen carefully to God's Word, obey what He tells us, and stay faithful, trusting that God's plans are good- Even during life's storms.
Genesis 7:6-10
Obedience…
3. Requires immediate action.
Theologically, this shows us that obeying God's commands comes from trusting Him and believing that He is good and in control. Noah’s quick action in entering the ark when God told him to, shows that true obedience means obeying fully and without delay, even when it feels difficult or unexpected. This passage teaches us that God's instructions often need to be followed right away; waiting or hesitating can prevent God's plan from working as He intends. Faith is shown not just by believing in God, but also by acting immediately on His instructions- Trusting that His commands are for our safety and His glory, especially during life's difficult times.
Practically, this reminds us to be ready to obey God's voice as soon as we hear it. In everyday life, obedience often means acting quickly- Whether it is making right choices, helping others, or trusting God's timing in hard situations. The story of Noah encourages us to respond promptly to God's guidance, knowing that such obedience can protect us and help us stay close to Him. When we obey quickly and trust God's plans, we show our faith and stay safe in life's storms, knowing God is with us and will keep His promises.
Genesis 7:11-16
Obedience…
4. Is a test of faith amidst the storm.
Theologically, obeying God during life's storms shows that we trust His control and His plan, even when things are difficult. We see Noah obeying God's command to build the ark, even though nobody else understood or believed it would rain. Noah’s actions prove that true faith means doing what God asks, especially during hard times. Obedience is not just about following rules; it’s about trusting God’s wisdom and love, even when the situation seems overwhelming. When we obey God in our storms, we show that we trust Him to save and protect us, and that our faith is real.
Practically, this teaches us to examine how we respond when trouble comes. Will we trust God’s guidance and obey Him, even if it’s hard or others don’t understand? Noah’s example shows us that our faith is tested in tough times, and how we respond can be a witness to others about God's power and faithfulness. In our everyday lives, it means choosing to follow God’s Word over fear or pressure from others, trusting that His commands are good for us. When challenges come, (whether in money, relationships, or spiritual life) obeying God can lead us to safety and peace, because He promises to protect and care for those who trust and obey Him. This reminds us to stay strong and faithful, knowing that obedience in the storm is a way to show our faith and experience God's grace.
Genesis 7:17-24
Obedience…
5. Ensures preservation and deliverance.
Noah’s obedience to God's commands was key to his safety and the rescue of his family during the great flood. Spiritually, this shows us that when we obey God's instructions, He promises to protect us and help us through difficult times. Noah trusted and followed God's directions to build the ark, and because of his obedience, God kept him safe from the flood. Practically, we are called to trust God's Word and obey Him, even when life is hard or confusing. Obedience acts like a shield that keeps us safe and helps us survive the storms we face in life.
This story also teaches us that obedience is more than just following rules; it’s about joining God in His plan to save and protect us. When we trust and obey God’s instructions, even when they seem difficult, we are walking in His purpose for our lives. In everyday life, this means staying faithful and obedient, no matter what others say or how tough things get, because God's ways are always for our good. For those facing challenges, this story encourages us to obey God fully, trusting that He will save and deliver us just as He did Noah. Living in obedience helps us stay strong and confident that, with God's help, we will come through every storm victorious.
Conclusion:
When we think about Noah’s strong obedience during the flood, we see that true faith means trusting and obeying God, even when things are difficult or uncertain. Noah’s trust in God's instructions kept him and his family safe, showing that obedience based on faith can help us get through life's storms. Let’s try to have a faith that listens to God and follows Him, knowing His promises are true and His protection is sure when we obey. Like Noah, we should trust in God's power and kindness, stay faithful no matter what storms come our way, and believe that God's mercy will bring us through to a new beginning.
