Legacy of Leadersნიმუში

Noah | Surrender

Read: Genesis 6-9

In Genesis 3, we are told of Adam and Eve’s choice in the Garden of Eden to disobey God. Just three chapters later, as mankind is populating the earth, we now see the Father surveying the epidemic and systemic state of rebellion. Yet in His character as Creator, God began to unveil a solution, one that also reflected His heart as Redeemer. While He looked at the rest of the world and witnessed only evil, God saw in Noah a deep child-like faith and trust in Him.

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.… Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. … “But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives.” … So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. (Genesis 6:9, 11, 18, 22)

Many historic accounts in the Bible came to a crossroads with a three-letter word that changed everything: but. In Genesis 6:8, we find another example: “But Noah found favor with the LORD.” He was different and separate because of his decision to trust God at all costs. This one man’s life was a reflection of the Father’s goodness and loving-kindness, allowing Him to find in Noah the very reason He created people—relationship, fellowship, and partnership with Him.

In verse 9, the words used to describe Noah refer to not only his close relationship with the Lord but also his impeccable reputation with his neighbors, whether they liked him or not. When no one else would, Noah chose obedience—both in his heart for God and as a witness before his community.

Because we can read the entire Bible today, we must remind ourselves that Noah had no knowledge of the Gospel. No prophecy had yet been given about a coming Messiah. His obedience stemmed simply from his belief that placing faith in the Creator was the right thing to do and the best life to lead.

But as we have seen throughout history, the decision to follow God often comes into direct conflict with those who oppose God and His ways. A lifestyle honoring the Lord in a worldly culture often draws judgment and condemnation. Yet this very dynamic in Noah allowed for God’s divine protection and provision for him and his family.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:6–7)

God honored those who Noah loved because of his spiritual authority over his household. The Lord declared His covenant was with Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives as the second generation was chosen to repopulate the earth.

We are inspired throughout Scripture by those who have stood alone, no matter the difficulty of their circumstances, to experience God’s amazing favor and blessing by the full surrender of their lives. Because of a relationship with Jesus Christ, you also have the unique opportunity to join these biblical pillars as you choose obedience to God over the culture.

Meditate and Journal

• One area of my life that I know God wants me to surrender to Him in faith and obedience is:
• The place(s) in my life I have surrendered to God and where I am leading now are:

“Heavenly Father, the depth of Noah’s faith and surrender to You is hard to fathom. His situation literally came down to just You and him against the world, with his choice of faith being what ultimately saved him and his family. Even though my world is very different, please help me to view my commitment and level of surrender as the same as Noah’s. Thank You for salvation through Your grace and the opportunity to lead through constant surrender to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Memory Verse

And it is impossible to please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:6

A reputation above reproach is built on a path of one right decision at a time.

Before we can see God's checkered flag of victory we must first wave the white flag of surrender.