Obedience in Trials

Recently, I've been looking closely in Genesis 6:1-9:17 at the story of Noah and the ark. This story has value for any follower of Christ who may be going through a period of chaos and confusion like that which Noah probably endured. Not only that, but there are many things taught in this part of scripture that help us to ultimately better know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The story starts off by showing that the earth will be judged because of the sinfulness of mankind. Powerful men (the Nephilim) are marrying whomever they want whenever they want. And Noah is one righteous man in a world full of corruption. Yet it is clear that even within the chaos preceding and during the flood that God is still in control. We can learn from this too that God manifests and protects when we obey. Also, there are signs even within the execution of God's judgment that He intends for this moment to be a new beginning for the establishment of His covenant with creation (but that will have to wait for another time - mid February?).

Difficulties in life are a guarantee for any person who decides to follow Christ. But we know that God is always in control. When looking back on the flood account, the author of Psalm 29:10 recognized that "the LORD sat enthroned over the flood." God's word is valuable for all people in all places at all times. So, we know that whatever situation we are facing, God is in control. He is over it. He rules over it. We see in the Genesis story that God is the one who initiates everything. He responds to man's actions, but He remains in control and purposeful in what He is doing the whole time. Also, God is intent on revealing to man (in this case, Noah) what His purpose is in this situation. Do you believe that God is in control of your life? What things have happened to you that make you wonder if God has a purpose in all the things that happen in our lives?

Let's look more closely now at the story in Genesis six through eight. There is evidence in the passage that the ark is a place where God invites Noah and his family into the protection of His presence. When we read closely the account, we see that the ark is similar to many other places described in the Pentateuch as localities where God's glory dwelled. Like the tabernacle and the temple, the ark has only one entrance, and it has the shape of a rectangular box (the meaning of the word for "ark"). It is interesting to note that in this passage is the first mention in the Bible of the distinction between "clean" and "unclean." The significance of these words was brought out more fully only generations and generations later when the Israelites were building the tabernacle and traveling in the desert (see Leviticus). It seems that a later hearer of the initial story of Noah put a spiritual twist into the text to help the readers understand what God was doing in the ark. Like the tabernacle and the temple, the story implies that the ark was a holy place. Finally, like the garden of Eden - God's original earth-dwelling place - the ark is an animal-friendly environment.

Also, we look at the description in Gen 8:1, it says God sent a wind over the waters to cause them to recede. If God sent a wind from above powerful enough to change the water level, it would have driven the boat beneath the waters. If He sent it from a lateral direction, it would have sent the boat tipping on its side and out of control. But the only place He could have sent it from without it damaging the boat and those within it was if He sent the wind from within the boat itself. The only way to understand this picture is if God is in tabernacle/temple ark with Noah as He's making this command. The story of Noah and the ark is amazing for many reasons. But I think the most amazing part is the story of Noah's faith. At any point in the story, Noah could have "jumped ship." "The end is near, live it up!" could have been his lifestyle message to the people around him. Noah could have doubted at any point that God was going to keep His word and spare his family. Being in that boat for forty days, he could have gone crazy wondering if and when the rain would ever stop pouring. What a hard time it must have been for him, wondering if the waters would recede in time for them to get the food they needed to survive. Would God really keep his promise and allow Noah and his family to live? Could he have just imagined it all? But at all these points in the story, there is no mention that Noah has any of these doubts. In fact, to the contrary it commends his obedience (Gen. 7:5) "and Noah did all that the Lord commanded him." How is his faith so strong? I think it's because he knows that God is with him. Noah understands what the text implies - that God will be with you in whatever He commands you to do. Someone reading this may know they're in the life boat but fear being tipped over and kicked out, submerged and drowned; but if you keep doing what is good and keep walking in God's ways, won't He protect you?

A lot of people look at bad stuff happening in their lives: a break-in and robbery, a friend who refused to reconcile, or health and career difficulties, and simply wait for things to get better on the other side. They don't want to get anything out of the suffering and pain. They only wish that it would not last any longer. They just want to be through with it and get on with life as it was before. But God has something better for us. God doesn't just allow random problems to come into our life without a purpose. Trials come, and difficulties come, and to receive the blessing (Gen. 9:1) like Noah did when the waters recede, we've got to be in the ark, doing what God has called us to do, we've got to be in covenant with the LORD. Because we each have a particular destiny, we face tailor-made trials that God uses to form us into the people who will fulfill those destinies (Romans 8:28-29). So, if you're in a trial, it's because God has a plan for you. But we need to expect more from suffering than for it just to pass. Paul writes to the Corinthian church suffering from disunity: "Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Cor. 13:11). The exhortation is followed by the promise. Whatever the trial, God will be with us when we obey Him.

There's a song I've been singing a lot lately by Hillsong. I think the words were inspired by Psalm 29. But basically, it the words and this worship video sum up what I want to say:
Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust