Lessons From The Life Of Noah

But Noah found favor with the Lord. Genesis 6:8 NLT

Noah lived in a time when society was filled with corruption, violence and wickedness.

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. Genesis 6:5-6 NLT

I can’t imagine living in a time when everyone was consistently and totally evil. If it was bad enough to break God’s heart, imagine what life was like for Noah! Yet Noah found a way to rise above it all. Instead of being discouraged by it, or worse yet, conforming to it, Noah chose to live differently. He decided to live a righteous life, and to pursue a close relationship with God.

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Genesis 6:9 NLT

Lesson #1: You can develop a strong and close relationship with God, even while surrounded by evil people. You may be the only one in your family, your workplace or your neighborhood who is interested in serving God, but don’t let that get in the way of your walk with Christ. Take time to worship and pray daily, spend time in God’s presence and enjoy His friendship. Do what’s right and seek His approval above all others.

“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives.” Genesis 6:17-18 NLT

Lesson #2 God confides in those who love Him, in those who live in close relationship with Him. Think about how cool that is. God told Noah exactly what He was going to do before He did it. Wouldn’t it be great if God confided in you, if he trusted you with information no one else knew? God’s allowed me to experience that a few times in my life, nothing like the magnitude of the flood, of course, but I’ll tell you, there’s no greater feeling than watching God carry out a plan that He has disclosed to you before it happens. Does God speak to us audibly? Not in my experience, but if you take the time to pour over His word and seek Him in prayer, He can and will speak volumes!

Lesson #3 God takes care of those who walk with Him. Noah did not have to bear the consequences of the evil all around him. God confirmed his relationship with Noah by keeping Noah and his family safe during a time of disaster for the rest of society.

“Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper. Genesis 6:14-16 NLT

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. Genesis 6:22 NLT

Lesson #4 God gives us the privilege of partnering with Him. Not only did he tell Noah exactly what His plan was, he allowed Noah to help Him carry it out! God will partner with you too, when He has your complete attention. If you set your heart on following God and listen for His voice, He will use you in ways you couldn’t begin to imagine! There’s no greater privilege than to partner with the Lord!

Noah’s journey was not an easy one, but one that demonstrates for us, the benefits of serving God. While he endured much hardship and more adventure than most of us will ever see, he also enjoyed a friendship with God that is available to all of us. You too can find favor with God!