"Heroes of Faith" - Noah

The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (11:1,2) The writer would also say later, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (11:6) In Hebrews 11 we are treated with an extensive, but not inclusive, list of men and women who truly were “Heroes of Faith.” These men and women faithfully and willingly walked with God when no one else would. They believed in God, and they were sure that God would provide for them just as he promised.

In Hebrews 11:7, the writer tells us of Noah: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

If you have time, brush up on the story of Noah by reading all of Genesis 6. Mankind had become so selfish and sinful that God’s heart was literally broken. God is love! God created the human race so that he could share this love. Many of us, at some point or another, know exactly what it feels like to love someone with all your heart only to be crushed when you realize that they do not love you back. It is devastating. Humanity had become utterly sinful. Our sin is destructive and devastating. It separates us from the presence of God (Isaiah 59). We had become so evil that God’s heart hurt and he wished that he had never created us. He was completely ready to wipe us from the face of the earth. Jesus’ interpretation of this time in history is found in Matthew 24:38, 39: “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.” Everyone in that day was living by the philosophy, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow will take care of itself.” What if there is no tomorrow? You see, sin is not breaking God’s law; it is breaking God’s heart.

Just when God was feeling completely rejected, he caught a glimmer of hope in the life of Noah. We are told that Noah was a righteous, blameless man, and he walked with God. One of the things that caught me in this story was the fact that God had lost hope. Many times we don’t think of God as one who is capable of losing all hope. However, when we look closely at the story, we see that this is the case. Mankind had become so selfish and sinful, that God was ready to wipe them, and all other creatures, off the face of the earth. He obviously felt defeated. He obviously felt that there was no way that humanity would ever live completely for him. And just when he was about to follow through on his plan, he saw this man named Noah. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah’s righteousness was a reaffirmation of God’s love and patience. When God saw Noah, it reminded him of all the reasons why he continues to love us and wait on us. Noah’s faith and perseverance had given God hope.

Just like Noah, we must walk with God when others will not! We must believe and not doubt. Noah believed, trusted that the flood would come just as God said that it would. What are we sure of? What are we certain of, even though we cannot see it? Jesus promises us a resurrection. We have not yet seen it, but in faith we believe it is coming. We believe it is coming because we believe in Jesus who died for it. Remember, in faith we believe he exists and that he will reward those who earnestly seek him. We continue to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, even when others may not follow us, because we believe that our faithfulness will be rewarded in our resurrection and eternal home in heaven. Life lived in the eternal presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even if we are standing alone, we must never believe that all hope is lost. Our faithfulness gives hope and assurance to God.