I usually write my Word Wednesdays on Wednesday, because I like them to be “fresh” in the moment. That works great… until the unexpected happens. Yeah, I was sick yesterday. So we’ll have our Wednesday on Thursday if everyone is agreeable. 🙂
Genesis 6:9 (GWT)–This is the account of Noah and his descendants. Noah had God’s approval and was a man of integrity among the people of his time. He walked with God.
It’s hard to believe, but the people of Noah’s time were even more depraved than people today. In fact, among the people of the earth, Noah (and likely those in his family) were the only ones who were considered to have integrity. That’s an appalling thing to think about, isn’t it? That in the entire world, only one person walked with God?
Makes our walk seem a little bit easier, doesn’t it? It’s easy to watch the news and lament. I’ve done it many times, so many times that I’ve essentially quit watching the news. (I read it elsewhere. Being uninformed is worse than being angry.) No matter how bad it is right now, at least we have others to pray with and to be there for us. I’ve seen it in the most amazing way over the past month or so, the way believers rally around each other in prayer even when they don’t know what they’re praying for exactly. Who did Noah have to turn to?
Know the other thing? We can’t complain about the way things are. You don’t hear Noah complaining. And he had every reason. The thing is, we can still take action. We can still band together against the wrong in the world. God has us here at this time for a reason. And trust me, it’s not to gripe about the way things are. It’s to change them. Shouldn’t our voices be heard now more than ever? Noah had no one to stand with him. We have countless others. Why do we remain silent? What would happen if we all spoke truth instead of sitting back and watching it happen?
Okay, so my toes hurt. I’m talking about me here. I know I don’t speak out near enough. It’s time to use our voices more, don’t you think?
-JB
What would happen if we all spoke truth instead of sitting back and watching it happen?
You stepped on mine too! Feel better. I miss you!
6:22 – Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Many of us have heard this story since we were young. I don’t think I ever really thought twice about it before. God told Noah to build the Arc, so he did it and saved his family and mankind. I never sat back and really thought about what a crazy thing that must have been, even back then. I think as children and even as adults we have a hard time putting this into context. I didn’t think I’d like it, but I really appreciate the movie Evan Almighty. It was a really good visual, for me anyway. What is really striking me about this verse though, is that Noah did as God commanded on something that seemed so outrageous and so crazy (even at the time), but Noah did it. I pray that I could be more obedient to what God commands of me. I don’t know of a single thing He has asked of me that would ever compare in scope with the insanity of building and Arc, yet, I don’t always follow. This week I am really going to focus on having a heart more like Noah’s and follow his example of obedience.
I LOVE the message in Evan Almighty. It brought the Noah issue forward and helped me to realize how hard it would have been to be in Noah’s shoes. That’s an incredible thought, and I appreciate that the film makers had the guts to do that.
Love verse 22, as well, Dawn. I also love the opposite ends of the spectrum of activity in this chapter. Noah was working on CONSTRUCTION (by the instruction of God) while God was planning the DESTRUCTION of His creation.
Sandy
Ooh… NICE!