GENESIS 6:22: “So Noah did according to all that God commanded him; he did so exactly.” ‭‭TLV

OBSERVATION: What a contrasting statement in the sixth chapter of Genesis! The chapter begins with,

• “Then ADONAI saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their heart was only evil all the time. So ADONAI regretted that He made humankind on the earth, and His heart was deeply pained.” Genesis‬ ‭6:5-6‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Noah stood out as a single bright light in the midst of all the darkness that was present in the world. Of the entirety of God’s creation, it came down to one man and one family. It is hard to imagine that a generation, so close to the creation of the world, had turned so wicked.

Noah was not just a righteous man that trusted in God, he was also an obedient man. Given a task that in any day would be an almost insurmountable task, the Biblical record records that Noah did exactly as God commanded. The Biblical narrative does not give us much more than that. We don’t have the backstory of the entire construction process, but we can imagine that it was filled with great challenges, difficulties, and opposition from those who did not worship God.

In all honesty it sounds much like the culture we live in today. I am not saying that the depth of darkness is equal to this time in history. Surely God has his righteous ones all over the world. Yet, in the world we live in, if we want to walk a life that is reflecting the light of God, we too will face great challenges, difficulties, and opposition. This is reflected in the way Christians are treated in the media culture of our day. If one lives boldly for Jesus Christ they are identified as an extremist filled with hate and ignorance.

The question I am asking myself today is – how will I respond? Will I hide my light under a bushel basket, or will I count the cost and let is shine? Will I be like Noah and do exactly as the Lord commands, or will I bend to the criticism and pressure of our culture? Noah no doubt had to withstand constant ridicule as his obedience was played out in the public square. You can’t obey God by building an Ark in secret. My obedience needs to be the same. It is not to be a public show of self-righteousness, but a willingness to walk in humility and obedience to the Lord’s commands, no matter what the cost.

The First Century believers lived out their faith even unto death. Their obedience and witness turned the world upside down. If there was ever a time for the world to be turned upside down it is now! While we await the blessed assurance of the return of Jesus Christ, our hope and prayer is for a great outpouring of revival around the world. Revivals do not simply happen. Revival begins with the kindling of prayer and obedience in the people of God.

Lord, help me to be Your kindling I pray.

In Jesus Name!