What does believing in something invisible or impossible really look like? If you can’t see it or envision what it could be, how does “believing in it” actually demonstrate itself in your life?
From time to time I like to enliven my son’s understanding of history by throwing in what I call “false facts,” to spice up the lessons. While I get a chuckle out of it, I’ve learned that it can be a bit of a problem for my son if I don’t make the line between make-believe and reality very clear. Case in point was the time my son announced that after Captain Cook sailed the Pacific Ocean, he took his fortune and invested in the business endeavors of his brother, one Captain Crunch, thus helping him to become one of the greatest cereal moguls of all time. The point is that my son actually believed my fable and was so confident in it, he repeated it and shared it with others. His belief translated into action.
When we talk about trusting God, we can often come up against the same challenge. How does someone actually show that their belief has real bearing on the whole of their life, not merely their mind? Noah’s life shows a belief—or faith—that goes beyond mental agreement, displaying itself in every arena of life. Noah’s belief in God’s Word poured out of his life into confident action.
When we find Noah just a few chapters into Genesis, we discover the comprehensive wickedness of the entire world. Everyone, everywhere, was corrupt. And then God spoke. God declared a promise and a command for Noah to believe and obey (Genesis 6:11–18). How do we know that Noah really believed this word from God is true? It’s written all over Noah’s life. Trust in God shows itself in obedient action.
“Rain will come and flood the earth, so build an ark with these specific blueprints.” Noah did it.
“Go into the ark, you and your entire household, and all the animals I have commanded.” Noah did it.
“Go out from the ark with all the animals and your entire family.” Noah did it.
The repetitive cycle here shows us what faith really looks like. Belief is more than just mental agreement with a statement. True faith displays itself in the follow-through of obedience.
The contrast between Noah and the people of his day is staggering. Where the world raged in chaos and disobedience against the Lord, Noah stood firm with his trust in God. It was said that “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God” (v.9).
The story of Noah shows us what a person of faith in action really looks like. It’s worth asking ourselves, What does faith in action look like in my life? How can I demonstrate my trust in God?
Noah walked with God. May it be so with us.
Written by Jeremy Writebol
Leave a Reply
74 thoughts on "Noah"
And on top of that, there was no Bible. Imagine the Faith!!!
❤✝️ Lord, help me to walk with You.
❤️
♥️
❤️
Amen!!
❤️
I feel that the way I show my faith in God is just doing what I feel a pull to do. Working with kids, talking to my stepdaughters mom about certain scripture review options, or simply praying more.
I found gen 7:8 interesting in that they brought clean (possibly jewish people) and unclean (possibly the rest of us who never followed Jewish law on the ark to save them from the flood.
This is before the time of Abraham, so there were no Jewish people yet; but I do find the distinction between clean and unclean animals interesting. It is the first place I see them mentioned in scripture, so the concept clearly predates the Mosaic Law. Does anyone know why?
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges says “There is no mention of a distinction between clean and not clean in the birds and the creeping things… The mention of a distinction between “clean” and “unclean” beasts (behêmah, “cattle” or “domestic animals” of Genesis 6:20) is certainly a later insertion by the compiler. The account in Genesis 6:19-20 (P) does not recognize the distinction of clean and unclean.”
It sounds as if whoever wrote Genesis (most recognize Moses as the author) inserted their definition of “clean” and “unclean”. This was puzzling to me also!
Thank you Christy for bringing up distraction. This always seems to be an issue for me.
Dear Shes
I was struck by the scripture, when the Lord spoke, “I will never again curse the ground of human beings”…now here’s the part…”even though the inclination of the human heart is sin from youth”. Yes, He knew our character, from the beginning of time,
but there was no condemnation. Only an “over-arking” plan to keep His creatures alive.
My Lord God, I cling to your promise.
Preordained.
I pray my will bends to Yours.
I pray I never lose sight of the rainbow.
Amen
Every time I read these Old Testament stories I say the same thing: “I LONG to hear God that clearly!” Must be so wonderful.
Whew! So so much to unpack here. Has me sitting in so much of Gods goodness right now!
Rain WILL come. Take shelter and let Him cover us! Let Him protect us. Trust Him. Take Him at His word. He will set us on dry ground! God made Noah a promise of protection and enduring relationship and Noah responded by believing him. When we believe something we obey it, we walk in it, we trust!
Thank you Lord, thank you!
I feel that God is calling me to trust Him in my family finances. Knowing that he is going to provide and trust that he has called me to be more present at home. I have longed to be a stay at home mom for a while but I have put my career first due to the security in the pay. My husband was a stay at home dad but it really affected his mental health and now he is back working. I know he wants to be the provider for our family and I want to give him the opportunity to be the man God has called him to be. Praying that I am obedient in this process and not trying to fix our finances.
Praying for you. I was a stay at home mom and continually explained to our boys that there were things (extras) we couldn’t have or do unless I went to work. They always said they wanted me home with them. There was also a time where my husband changed jobs and took a cut in pay and God provided.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless in His generation, Noah walked with God.
I’ve only know a few people who had these characteristics. My mother in law and my husband’s aunt.
I think it starts by being obedient to what God tells us to do.
I tried to say well that was Noah but it is impossible to do, BUT GOD, quickly reminded me of other people who have done this!
My desire is to be remembered as being a righteous woman, blameless in by my generation and that I walked with God! I have a long way to go but as I abide in Him, read His word, pray (a lot,) worship God, and step out in obedience and faith, I will get closer. Not that I believe that salvation comes from works but the fruit of salvation is going God’s work!
Thank you all for your comments!
Praying for all the requests! Andrew, Seth,
Amen❤️
May we all continue to walk with God in obedience! These days I feel like I have imposter syndrome at times. I’m posting about how on fire I am for God, praising Him daily, and doing my best to show up for the people around me and yet, I still feel distant from God at times. I still have questions & anxiety! Even when I feel distant, I am choosing to walk with Him! I am choosing to love my Heavenly Father just as He chooses to love me daily!
Hi.The best thing is that you are continuing on.It’s a journey. I have been on this journey for over 50 years and am still learning . That’s why it’s a necessity for community. To walk together. None have arrived but we can be there for each other. Questions. Anxiety. Faltering. Part of the journey. Be blessed as you go.Hugs from the foothills
Thank you Rhonda! I appreciate your wisdom!
Carry on, my sister. As Christ carries you.
Thank you Gwineth!
Bullet points for me this morning. Noah did it. He trusted. His beliefs in God were strong. GREAT example of OUR God is who He says He is and will do what He said He would do. Even when it doesn’t go our way, we trust daddy knows best.
Yes, Mari V. Even when the “going & doing” gets hard!
I have been to The Ark Encounter in Kentucky. It is MASSIVE and apparently built to scale. Just standing on one of the levels and looking around you makes you realize what a monumental task this was for one man and his sons to build. And yet, Noah’s faith launched him into action without question. Oh, to have that kind of faith!
For real!
I hope to go there someday:)
“True faith displays itself in the follow-through of obedience.”
So well said. May I not only listen and understand but also act on my faith and obey the Lord.
And I love seeing a rainbow and hearing my 3 year old get excited and getting to tell him it’s a symbol of God’s promise to us.
Praise the Lord ♥️
The Captain Crunch story made me chuckle. Ha, ha:)
There are always a couple things that stand out to me and challenge me about Noah when reading the account of his life. (Adding in vs. 8 as well), Gen 6:8-9 “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God” and then in 6:22 “And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him.” Noah’s character was to be desired – right in the eyes of the Lord, righteous, blameless, obedient, doing right. Do I seek to live such a life? Do I have the “Trust in God shows itself in obedient action” that the author suggested?
These are heart postures, characteristics, attributes and traits that I pray would be leading my life and how I would pattern my thinking, choices and decisions; that would be evident.
Great questions to ponder for today…. What does faith in action look like in my life? How can I demonstrate my trust in God?
Yes, Lord. May it be so with me✝️
If you haven’t listened to the podcast, I would encourage you to do so. Always so insightful and helpful.
I want it to be said: Tanya walked with God. Maybe I want this on my head stone. Noah walked with God. verse 9. Walking with G-d means being counter culture.
” Now the earth was corrupted in God’s sight,and the earth was filled with wickedness. God saw how corrupt the earth was every creature had corrupted his way on the earth. Gen 6:11-12. G-d was seeing and observing some very unholy things, a lot of yucky and icky things.
However, Noah stood out as a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.Jesus said, If you love me,you will keep my commandments.” Without faith it is impossible to please
God…”
Even Noah’s name was prophetic: This one will bring us relief from the agonizing labor of our hands,caused by the ground the Lord cursed.”
In Judaism, we believe the flood was a mikveh. A ceremonial cleansing of the earth.
Causing me to think, Tanya, how we all must “pass through the waters”, a baptism into new life. Thanking you for your imagery & insights.
GM!
Our faith should be trust and obedience producing action. If we love and trust God…shouldn’t that produce works?! Yes! Wonder working works to show our respect, reverence, duty, loyalty and the actual goodness of our Lord!
People don’t care if you “claim” to be a Christian, if you have a cross around your neck or attend a church every week- what makes them take notice is your character. What they see when afflictions come. What they see in how you treat people. What they see when they can’t see. Your relationship with God bears fruit..but you have to have a relationship with God, through Jesus, letting the Spirit guide and reveal. Are we submitting to our relationship with God, thus producing good fruit? Would I be like Noah and abide when it seems crazy and I am being mocked? He is producing something good in me, I believe, I know. Thank you Jesus!
❤
Trust in God shows itself in obedient action. What does faith in action look like in my life? Gives me thoughts to ponder today
This time reading Noah’s story something completely new jumped out at me. When God commands Noah that he is to bring two of all the living creatures with him, He ends by saying they “will come to you so that you can keep them alive”. (Gen 6:19-20)
.
I immediately started to think about what would have happened if Noah had become preoccupied with worrying about how to bring every animal on the ark and had taken it upon himself to gather every animal ahead of time rather than wait for God to do it. God gave him clear instructions to build the ark and promised He would bring the animals to Noah.
.
Distraction is a big obstacle in obedience, and made me ponder where am I taking responsibility for things God hasn’t asked me to steward while neglecting the things He has. It is in our obedience that we are blessed to see the full extent of God’s faithfulness.
That is so good Christy! Thank you for these thoughts! I shall ponder on that as well!
❤️
Soooooo good! Thank you for those thoughts! ❤️
Thanks for pointing out what distraction does to obedience
Great point!
Thank you, Christy, for calling out distraction.
Great point Christy. Thank you for bringing that up
May it be so with us. With me!
Before I moved to the devotional part, when I read in Genesis that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation…they didn’t have the Law, they didn’t have the full sacrificial system, they didn’t have Jesus yet…I wondered what that meant, what that looked like…then come to the next “page”. It meant obedience….what you know, you follow. He didn’t have all the details, but still Noah followed. He didn’t know much of anything yet, still he obeyed. May that be how it is with us!
Remarkable, isn’t it! Thank you, Chiarelli.
Oh,for grace to trust Him more!!!
“Noah walked faithfully with God…and did all that the Lord commanded him.”
.
May this be the testimony of my life.
—
Questions to ponder today:
1)What does faith in action look like in my life?
2)How can I demonstrate my trust in God?
—
Happy Tuesday Shes ❤️
I’m also deeply moved by God’s mercy—how He not only brought judgment but also offered a covenant, a promise of life, and a future. That same God has made a new covenant with me through Jesus, and because of that, I am invited to live a life marked by faith, obedience, gratitude, and trust in His promises.
Lord, help me live with Noah-like faith today—listening to Your voice, trusting Your direction, and worshiping You in all circumstances. Thank You for Your covenant love that never fails.
In the SRT Bible, there’s a part of a the devotion that goes with this story that says, “Obedience to God was the gift Noah gave to the next generation. When we obey God, we are storing away treasure for those who will come behind us.”
❤️
Ooh…this is a beautiful thought – and gift. Thank you for sharing
Love this.
Amen!
Lord May I walk like Noah!!
Amen!
Amen… Father in heaven, help me desire You and allow the Holy Spirit to live in and through me
Genesis 6:8 isn’t included in our Scriptures today, “but Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD,” another acknowledgment by God of Noah’s faith and character.
.
As I read through the dimensions of the ark and its cargo – animals, people, provisions – I was struck by how little space was needed for the people, roughly 20 cubic feet (CF) (and my apologies to my metric measuring sisters) out of just over 1.5 million CF. And although that number would need to be reduced by head-to-ceiling space, moving around space, space taken up by the interior structure (& furniture?), and other things not coming to mind – the people space would still be insignificant.
Fast forward to now – how much space do Christians occupy in our world today?
Praying for the lost.
–
God’s covenant to not destroy the earth by flood again was “established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth” and it was/is “for perpetual generations.” Another attribute of our God, covenant keeper – perpetual defined as continues forever, valid for all time.
–
Song coming to mind – Living By Faith
–
GWINETH52- love that you are feeling exuberant ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️ yes – sadly, shame is nearly a complete unknown in our world but much needed for repentance.
❤
Holt Spirit help me to walk in obedience. Amen
Amen!
Creation 2.0. God’s cleansing of the earth was an echo of Genesis 1:9-10 when the land came forth from the waters.
.
Heb. 11:7 “By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
.
May we also live by faith being heirs of righteousness.
.
LISA H – praying Andrew’s stint is working.
.
SUSAN BURLEY – praying Seth continues to make progress in his recovery.
.
TAMI – praying Chela is in a better emotional state this week
Beautiful imagery of cleansing, Kelly! ❤
Thank you!! He may be able to be moved to a step down unit from the ICU today. Your prayers are so appreciated!!
Proforma Andrew, Seth and Chela, as well.
Thank you Kelly, she isn’t but I’m holding onto faith that she will get through this.
I love the Captain Crunch story!:) I wonder – if God told me to build an ark, would I do it?
And when He tells me to go to my neighbor with the good news….
“Trust in God shows itself in obedient action.” May we let our light shine by being obedient today!
Yes, Sally, obedience – first time, every time. The weight and consequences of disobedience can be crushing.
oof!
Thank you! Sounds like it is. The whole family was able to enjoy the older sister’s performance as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Now, praying they can also all attend her 8th grade banquet this Friday. Of course still praying for answers and treatment options for the brain cysts…and how/when to talk to the children about it all. The middle sister is 11.
Amen❤️❤️
May we walk with God at all times.