Have you ever wondered about how much courage it took for Noah to build the ark? I tend to think about Noah's great faith, the humongous task of building the ark and his tenacity in doing so, but not so much about his courage. Until I read an op-ed piece in the USA Today, March 13, 2014, by Geoffrey Morin. Mr. Morin works for the American Bible Society, which makes Bibles available around the world. It is he who gets credit for the title of this post, for they are his words; words that really made me think. In his excellent article, he says the 'waters of controversy are rising fast', in regard to the upcoming release of the movie, Noah. However, it was not what he said about the movie itself, but what he said about the story of Noah that caught my attention. He says it well:
"Noah's is the ultimate story of daring to do what is right, rather than what is popular."
"Noah's is an instructive story that every parent can share with children to encourage them to stand up to peer pressure - even when the cost is steep"
"...and Noah is an inspiration to every believer to follow God's leading with faithfulness and courage."
And then his final sentence really grabbed me,
"Whether or not you become an fervent fan or vocal detractor of the film Noah, my hope is that its very existence sparks your interest in not just watching and talking about it, but in
digging into God's word for yourself and reading the original story of a man who dared to say yes to God - in an ark-sized way.
Daring to say yes to God in an ark-sized way. Now that is a story to read about. Grab your shovel and start digging! Dig into God's word! Read the story - the true story- not a fable- not a myth- but the word of GOD. Read it and reflect. Reflect on the courage it took for Noah to obey God, even though it was hard, and unpopular. Even though it took a long long time, and Noah may have never even seen rain. (Gen 2: 5-6) Noah couldn't possibly have fathomed or fully understood how it would all work, he didn't stop to consider the 'logic' of it, or stop to whine because it was just too hard, or even pose the 'but what about me and what I want God?' question.
Hebrews 11: 7a By faith Noah being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household
Noah didn't argue with God or question God. It didn't have to make sense to him, he didn't have to 'see' what would happen, because Noah had utmost respect and reverence for God; the bottom line being that Noah trusted God. Let me say that again, Noah TRUSTED God, not himself, not his abilities, not his society, or his possessions. Noah lived by faith and his trust in God, which in turn led him to obey God; to simply say YES. Yes, God, I will follow, trust and obey YOU - thought it's hard, and I don't fully 'see' the big picture, all I need to know is that You said to build, therefore I will.
It's not always easy, this trust and obedience, in fact I think most of the time it isn't. Most of the time it takes courage to deny self, trust God, and willingly obey. I see it in my little 3 year old granddaughter who is full of innocence and trust, yet when it comes to obedience, especially when it is something she doesn't really want to do, I see the conflict in her sweet little heart. I see that moment (ok... sometimes moments!) of hesitation. Sometimes she needs a reminder of who is in charge.
What about us? Do we need reminders of just who God is? Noah trusted when it was hard. Noah followed and obeyed God when he didn't quite understand how it would all work out. Do we?
What 'ark' is before you? What are you being called to trust God about in your life?
Ask yourself, as I am asking myself,
"Do I have the courage to say 'Yes' to God for the 'ark' in my life?
Because Noah trusted and obeyed, and had the courage to say YES to God, 8 souls survived, and those 8 souls became the lineage of all future generations of man. Perhaps there is someone in your future, either immediate or long term, that you will influence by your courage, and willingness to say 'Yes' to God today. So let's just do it, let's say YES! to our God and just see what great things He will do!
"Noah's is the ultimate story of daring to do what is right, rather than what is popular."
"Noah's is an instructive story that every parent can share with children to encourage them to stand up to peer pressure - even when the cost is steep"
"...and Noah is an inspiration to every believer to follow God's leading with faithfulness and courage."
And then his final sentence really grabbed me,
"Whether or not you become an fervent fan or vocal detractor of the film Noah, my hope is that its very existence sparks your interest in not just watching and talking about it, but in
digging into God's word for yourself and reading the original story of a man who dared to say yes to God - in an ark-sized way.
Daring to say yes to God in an ark-sized way. Now that is a story to read about. Grab your shovel and start digging! Dig into God's word! Read the story - the true story- not a fable- not a myth- but the word of GOD. Read it and reflect. Reflect on the courage it took for Noah to obey God, even though it was hard, and unpopular. Even though it took a long long time, and Noah may have never even seen rain. (Gen 2: 5-6) Noah couldn't possibly have fathomed or fully understood how it would all work, he didn't stop to consider the 'logic' of it, or stop to whine because it was just too hard, or even pose the 'but what about me and what I want God?' question.
Hebrews 11: 7a By faith Noah being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household
Noah didn't argue with God or question God. It didn't have to make sense to him, he didn't have to 'see' what would happen, because Noah had utmost respect and reverence for God; the bottom line being that Noah trusted God. Let me say that again, Noah TRUSTED God, not himself, not his abilities, not his society, or his possessions. Noah lived by faith and his trust in God, which in turn led him to obey God; to simply say YES. Yes, God, I will follow, trust and obey YOU - thought it's hard, and I don't fully 'see' the big picture, all I need to know is that You said to build, therefore I will.
It's not always easy, this trust and obedience, in fact I think most of the time it isn't. Most of the time it takes courage to deny self, trust God, and willingly obey. I see it in my little 3 year old granddaughter who is full of innocence and trust, yet when it comes to obedience, especially when it is something she doesn't really want to do, I see the conflict in her sweet little heart. I see that moment (ok... sometimes moments!) of hesitation. Sometimes she needs a reminder of who is in charge.
What about us? Do we need reminders of just who God is? Noah trusted when it was hard. Noah followed and obeyed God when he didn't quite understand how it would all work out. Do we?
What 'ark' is before you? What are you being called to trust God about in your life?
Ask yourself, as I am asking myself,
"Do I have the courage to say 'Yes' to God for the 'ark' in my life?
Because Noah trusted and obeyed, and had the courage to say YES to God, 8 souls survived, and those 8 souls became the lineage of all future generations of man. Perhaps there is someone in your future, either immediate or long term, that you will influence by your courage, and willingness to say 'Yes' to God today. So let's just do it, let's say YES! to our God and just see what great things He will do!
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