The Bible says that Noah was a righteous man and suggests that was the reason God selected him to build the ark and to be the lead survivor after the coming, worldwide flood.
We don’t read in scripture, though, of Noah’s profound spiritual writings or his wonderful worship singing or even of his perfect Sunday School attendance.
So how can we know that Noah was righteous?
Matthew 7:20 quotes Jesus as saying, “By their fruit you will recognize them.”
And in Genesis 6:22 and 7:5, we see crystal clear indicators that help us to recognize Noah’s righteousness.
When given instructions for building the largest ship — perhaps the only ship — the world had ever seen in order to provide deliverance from a flood unlike the world had ever seen, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22).
And when given the instructions regarding the number and types of creatures to allow into the ark, there was no debate — “And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.” (Genesis 7:5).
The lesson for us? If we are to be considered righteous in God’s sight, we are to be obedient to God’s will.
Even when we don’t understand it all and perhaps it involves serving in a way that is all new to us.
Listen, sometime today or this week, the voice of God’s Spirit will call you to do something that is new to you and that might not make sense to the people around you.
Remember, though, there is ultimately a deliverance-from-harm purpose to that leading.
Build the ark of a more righteous lifestyle, my friend. Be separate in behavior from the unrighteousness that surrounds you. Call your family members to join you.
For you never know when the flood of death will come against you or they or the entire world at Christ’s return.
Never forget that we serve a God who wants to deliver the righteous.
As always, I love you
Martin
