If you are familiar with the story of Noah in the Bible, then you might know where I’m going with the question, “Would you build the boat?” Noah lived in a time where everyone was wicked. No one was following God.
But God said Noah was different.
God tells Noah to build an ark in the middle of a desert. He says He is going to destroy the entire Earth, but will save Noah and his family because of his righteousness. Genesis 6:22 says, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” He built the boat.
Now put yourself in Noah’s shoes, would you build the boat?
Can you imagine what Noah’s neighbors would have thought? His friends? Here he is in the middle of a desert where it rarely rains and he starts building an ocean size boat. On top of that, he’s saying God is going to destroy everyone except him.
His neighbors probably thought Noah was a crazy and arrogant guy!
Yet, Noah was faithful. Scholars believe Noah spent nearly 100 years building the boat. Noah was 600 years old when the rain finally came!
He had to spend years trusting that God would deliver on His promise.
I’m sure Noah suffered the same pressures we all suffer now, maybe even more so. He’s surrounded by people doing wicked things and by people who think what he’s doing is dumb. Yet, he remains faithful.
As He always does, God delivers on His promise. The flood waters come and Noah and his family are safe in the ark as God said. But next, the rain continues to come for 40 days and nights without ceasing. The Bible says the entire Earth was flooded for 150 days! That’s nearly half a year that Noah and his family are on this boat crowded with animals. Finally it says “God remembered Noah and his family” and blew a wind to make the waters recede.
What would be your first action after stepping off a boat after 150 days?
I would probably just want to lay in the sun or by the heat of a fire. What does Noah do? He sacrifices burnt offerings to the Lord! His first action is not to say God why would you leave us there so long? Or to start complaining about being the only people alive. Noah’s first thought is to thank the Lord!
When God puts us through trials, even when his hand is guiding us through, is our first thought to thank him for deliverance? Or is it to question him?
Honestly, I tend to question God. Why are you making me go through this God? Can’t you just take this trial away? Why is it taking so long God? All of these things go through my mind and take precedence before thanking God.
Not only does Noah build the boat, but he also thanks God for the trial and the deliverance. I guess that is why in Hebrews 11:7 it talks about Noah being faithful and obedient.
“It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Hebrews 11:7
Next time a trial comes our way, do we want to be washed away by the flood waters or do we want to enter into righteousness as God calls us faithful and obedient?
What Can We Do When Trials Come Our Way?
We can follow Noah’s example! I know it is easier said than done, but God gav us these anecdotes in the Bible for a reason. Noah took 5 distinct steps in the midst of the trial:
- God called Noah to take action – Noah obeyed.
- Noah was tested by his surroundings – Noah remained steadfast, holding onto the promise of God.
- The trial began and the flood started – Noah followed God’s instructions.
- The flood continued for days on end – Noah endured faithfully.
- The waters receded – Noah praised and thanked God.
Going back to the first question I asked, “Would you build the boat?” The first step in enduring a trial is to take a step of faith. When God asks us to do something, we obey. No matter how faithfully we pray and praise God, our first step to righteousness is obedience by faith!
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