Moving on Faith:
Noah
Hebrews 11: 7
Genesis 6
What is faith? We established in last week’s study that, “...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Also, we learned what faith is not. We learned that faith is not based on attitudes or feelings. Faith is not simply wishing for something to happen, and it happens.
We also must realize that faith is the very necessary channel of salvation. The author of Hebrews 11:6 informs us that, “But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
In our test today the author of Hebrews informs us that, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7). It is very clear from this Scripture that Noah, like Abraham had faith. We can see from his life, a demonstration of this fact. Noah was obedient to God, and although I believe he did not see even a hint of rain, obediently moved on faith.
Let’s go to the Old Testament, to Genesis 6:1-7:
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face
of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were
fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,
for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and
twenty years.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that,
when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and
they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which
were of old, men of renown.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth
and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart
was only evil continually.
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the
earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created
from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping
thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have
made them.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
God saw the wickedness of man, the evil doings, and the sin running rampant among His children. The Bible says, “it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart” (Genesis 6:6). KJV
Perhaps, you are thinking: “How could these people sin and do such evil things?” Before we judge them too harshly, let’s take a look at the things that are going on today. The media is literally packed with news of: murders, burglaries, home invasions, and car jacking. We spend money trying to burglar proof our homes, our automobiles, and our workplace. Violence is everywhere!
Yet, in all this evilness and corruption , God had someone, a man He could use. He had a man by the name of Noah. What about you? Are you living a life that is pleasing to God? Are you moving on faith? Genesis 6:9 tells us that, “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
Although, it appears that the conditions surrounding Noah were evil, he did not compromise his integrity, his beliefs. Apparently, he was not popular, and even liked very much. Yet, “...Noah walked with God.
What about you? Today, there is violence and evil everywhere. Are you moving in faith? Are you willing to take a stand; preaching and teaching God’s Word? Or, will you compromise your beliefs in order to be with the crowd?
A young man came to me after Bible class, and said: "I used to run around, hang out, so to speak, and I was very popular. But, when I was born again, and began preaching and teaching God’s Word, folks don’t seem to like me very much. Yet, I would rather please God than to please man."
Let’s look at James 4:4: “Ye adulteries and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
I can imagine Noah preaching that the rain was coming, and the people laughing and calling him names. Yet, he did not falter. He did not waver or doubt. He continued to move in faith.
Noah listened to God. Genesis 6: 13 says, “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”
Psalms 25:14 tells us that, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”
Instructions
God began to give instructions to Noah on how He wanted the ark built.
Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark,
and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark
shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height
of it thirty cubits.
A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it
above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with
lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to
destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven;
and every thing that is in the earth shall die (Genesis 6:14-17).
Let’s go to the New Testament for just a moment. Let’s look at II Peter 2: 4-7:
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down
to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved
unto judgment;
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person,
a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world
of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha
into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an
ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.
As I said before, there was one man that God could use, and that man was Noah. God looked upon Noah with favor, and he looked to God in faith.
God chose to destroy the wicked world by a flood of waters, but He made provisions for Noah and his family. Verses 18-21 tell us that, “But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.”
When we are obedient to God, and moving on faith, He will not only deliver us out of bad situations but will make provisions for us.
Vs. 22 informs us that, “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, do did he.”
Conclusion: Noah moved in faith even when there was not a hint of rain. The Bible says Noah did, according to all that God commanded him, do did he.”
“He continued to believe and obey God. As a result of his faith, He and his entire family were delivered and amply provided for.
Perhaps, there is a situation or circumstance in your life, and the Lord has been speaking to your heart.... telling you to simply let go... trust Him... ... and move on faith.
