by Robert Fudge (while on vacation)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Tonight in Branson we went to see the musical NOAH. I must admit that I had serious reservations about going to see this. I am not one who usually enjoys Bible plays and movies. While the producers admittedly used license to enhance the story line (a two hour production based on 3 chapters of the Bible), it was very impressive. The enhancements for production were all fitting to the story and were done in such a way that they actually could have happened and in no way contradicted the Bible account.

Watching Noah as he tried for around a hundred years to convince friends, neighbors and kinsman to believe that God was really going to make it rain was a faith builder. Hearing the excuses of people for not believing was so much like people today who reject the salvation in Jesus. Seeing the hardship of building the ark demonstrated the absolute faith of Noah as he trusted God to keep his word and showed how we need to trust God in our lives. They showed some of the struggles that Noah and family probably went through as they worked on the ark. They showed the likely friction that arose while inside the ark for about a year as the cabin fever set in. But most of all they showed the overriding faith of Noah and his wife as they trusted God to fulfill his word to them. Again, a real faith builder for me as I go through struggles, doubts, problems and hardships in my life.

If we want to please God today, we like Noah must have faith. We must believe God will keep his word to us. But we like Noah must be willing to do the will of God and follow his instructions for us. But not only should we do his will in our lives but also like Noah we must share the good news of salvation, even when it is often rejected. Yes people today, as then, are too busy, too educated, just don’t believe or just don’t want to accept the logical consequences of believing in Jesus. God is not slack concerning his promises but wants all to come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Let’s share that good news with others. That is perhaps done best by our example of faith and faithfulness. Does your life (and mine) show absolute trust in God?

Dear God, please strengthen my faith. Help me to really believe you and act accordingly by faith. I know that today, as in the days of Noah, your word is true. Help me to understand your will and do it in my life. Thank you for your Son Jesus who provides the way of salvation for me. Help me to share that good news with others around me. In the name of Jesus I pray.

May God bless each of us as we do his will by faith.