40 Days of Faith: Day 6

Hebrews 11:7 -- By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

We are on day two of considering the faith of Noah. Today, I want to call your attention to the second part of this verse where it says, “By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Remember, Hebrews 11:1-2 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.” Now, notice what the writer of Hebrews says about Noah. First, it says that he was, “…warned by God concerning events as yet unseen.” God spoke to Noah, but Noah had a choice to make. It’s what Blackaby and King, in their classic study, Experiencing God, call a “crisis of belief.” When God speaks to our lives, we have to decide whether or not we will:

• Believe what He has said.
• Adjust our lives accordingly.

Noah heard God’s voice and he’s in the “Hall of Faith” because he believed God and then he acted on it. This one-two punch of believing and acting is what biblical faith looks like. We hear God and we adjust our lives to his message.

When we do this, we live counter to the culture and if we do this long enough, and in Noah’s case, loud enough, it speaks a message to the world that there is another way to live this life. Can you imagine building an ark and Noah’s community coming by asking, “What are you doing Noah? Why are you building this big boat?” Noah did this for years, and his consistency to align his life to his message proclaimed a message to those who came in contact with him.

Does your life align with your message? Has God asked you to trust him, step out in faith, and take a stand that is unpopular? Your obedience to Christ might be the very thing that spares you the devastation others unknowingly are headed toward.

Noah’s life teaches us that faith is more than agreeing with God—it is adjusting our lives to His Word, even when the world doesn’t understand. His obedience was a living sermon, a quiet but powerful condemnation of the culture around him. In the same way, your faith can be a light that challenges the darkness. People may question you, misunderstand you, or even mock you. But your steady walk of obedience may be the very thing God uses to awaken others to His truth. Today, ask yourself: Is my life aligned with my message? Am I willing to stand firm in faith, even when the world goes the other way? Take one step of obedience today that shows your trust in God above all else.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the example of Noah, who believed Your word and lived it out even when the world scoffed. Give me the courage to stand firm in my convictions, to live in a way that honors You, and to trust that my obedience can point others toward Your truth. Strengthen me when I am tempted to compromise and help me shine Your light faithfully in a world that desperately needs You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.