Obedience: The Lifesaving Discipline
When I read the account of Noah in Genesis chapter 6, it parallels with what I see in society today. Verse 11 describes a world that is corrupt and full of violence. As a result of sin, God decides to destroy all living creatures. In all this chaos and confusion, we can begin to feel invisible. We become defeated and lose our zeal when we see the wicked prosper.
The account of Noah reminds us of the faithfulness of the Lord. It reminds us that our job is not to look outward but to look upward. Our job is to keep our eyes focused on God and to be obedient to His call on our lives. The Lord gave Noah the difficult task of building the ark. Year after year Noah built the ark according to the specifications given to him by God. The Lord was very specific in his directions for building the ark, just as he is specific in the directions that He has given us.
Like Noah, it is our duty to keep our eyes focused on God’s plan for our lives. Verse 9 provides insight into the character of Noah. We learn that he is blameless and righteous and that he walks in close fellowship with God. He doesn’t allow the distractions of the world to penetrate his life. As a result of his obedience, the Lord rescues Noah and his family from the calamity that is to come. Noah’s obedience didn’t just impact him. The favor from the Lord extended to his wife, his sons, and his son’s wives.
The Lord is faithful through generations; He will not forget our obedience. Verse 22 concludes by saying, “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” Can the same be said of our own lives? Are we submitting to the will of God despite the inclinations of our own sinful natures? This is something to consider as we mature and grow in the love and knowledge of Christ.
“Obedience is not measured by our ability to obey laws and principles; obedience is measured by our response to God’s voice.” –Bill Johnson
