Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”
Hebrews 11:7 “By faith, Noah being divinely warned of things not seen moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household…”
It’s usually no fun to be the one doing something that others are not doing. You feel like an outsider, like everyone is staring at you, like people are whispering when you are not looking. Sometimes we have to take steps of faith that seem unconventional, irrational, and unpopular. Taking steps of faith can sometimes be a tricky thing. How do we know that God is leading us? How do we step out when others most likely think we are making a poor choice?
Noah’s story teaches us a few lessons about having faith when it is not the popular thing to do:
1. Noah walked with God-
Walking with God gives us the direction as to when we should step out on faith and the confidence to take a leap of faith. When we are talking to God on a regular basis, inviting Him into our lives, waiting to hear from Him, God will meet us where we are and lead us every step of the way of our faith walk.
As we walk with God, we grow more confident as He nudges us to take steps of faith. As we walk with God and He shows that He can handle our concerns, we put more and more faith in Him. Without a strong connection (through studying the Word of God and prayer) with our heavenly Father, we will always question the voice of God, question our thoughts about stepping out on faith.
2. Noah had no backing from the crowd –
When God told Noah to build the ark, he most likely did not have a whole lot of people encouraging him. Actually, he probably had the opposite. Imagine God telling you do something that seems outrageous, instructions that seem to be coming out of nowhere. There were probably many people who were ready to comment, mock him, and ask him lots of questions – Why he was doing this despite the fact that there was no evidence of a flood? Sometimes, God requires us to move without the approval or consensus of all our friends and loved ones.
Because of Noah’s obedience and faith, his family as well as many species of animals were saved. Whether we see it or not, others will be impacted by our decision to step out on faith or our decision to play it safe.
Are there any areas where God is calling you to trust Him, to have faith even though others around you may be skeptical? How will you respond?
Father, help me to choose to exert my faith even when it seems to be unpopular.
