We all know what happens when we don’t follow instructions exactly as they are given. If we are driving and take a wrong turn, we get lost. If we are cooking and don’t use the right ingredients, the food tastes different or terrible. When we are building something and miss a step, the end results will not be correct.
A familiar story of doing exactly as God said is Noah. In a world that had gone wrong due to sin, God was sorry He ever created people. There was only one man who found favor with God – Noah. Because of Noah’s obedience and faith, he followed God’s instructions exactly when building the ark.
What a great lesson we can learn from Noah’s story. The question we need to ask is are we following God’s will our own? Are we doing everything exactly as God asks is to do?
SCRIPTURE:
Genesis 6:6-8, 22 “So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the Lord said, ‘I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.’ But Noah found favor with the Lord… So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” (NLT)
ACTION STEPS:
1. Write what lessons can be learned from Noah’s story.
2. List Scripture that backs up these lessons.
3. Tell the story of Noah to someone this week.
4. Seek to obey God’s word exactly with faith in Him.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, there is no gray area in your word. We see in the example of Noah that we are to obey You exactly. Your way is always right. Help us to step out in faith and to follow Your will exactly as You tell us to do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
REMEMBER:
Hebrews 11:7 “It was by faith that Noah heard God’s warnings about things he could not yet see. He obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family. By his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong, and he became one of those who are made right with God through faith.” (NCV)
Joshua 1:7 “Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.” (HCSB)
Deuteronomy 12:32 “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” (NIV)
FOCUS:
John 15:14 “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (CSB)