I’ve always liked the story of Noah. Ever since I was a little child, I have been taught about Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6, 7, 8). (…which makes it all the more embarrassing and strange that I would have ended up saying Moses built the ark when I was in Bible class in 8th grade…) But Noah’s Ark appeals to me now, because it’s easy to relate to as a teen! I’m reading through Genesis right now, and a certain verse I read a few days ago is bold in my mind: “Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’” WOW. Wow! Listen to that…”I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation” (Genesis 7:1, emphasis added). See, God had become sorry He had made man, because there was so much wickedness in the world. But “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Gen. 6:5-7) Although it seemed like there was no good in the world, Noah and his family were righteous! The Lord commanded Noah to build an ark so that he and his family would be safe from the great, destructive flood.
While Noah built the ark as the Lord had said, it’s likely that Noah was probably pretty ridiculed during that time. Those who were wicked probably thought Noah was absolutely crazy for obeying this God! But, Noah obeyed GOD. He didn’t say, “But, God, what will everyone think when I begin to build this ark?” or, “Can’t you just save me and my family without me building that?” No. I believe Noah knew what a blessing it was for God Himself to recognize his family and their continuous obedience to Him, and allow them to be saved from the flood! I also think it’s amazing that 1) there had never been rain, and 2) it took him decades to build the ark—that’s a lot of time for ridicule and doubt!
Today, how many times do Christians think, “What will all my friends think if I miss that basketball game to go to Bible study?” and, “There’s no fun at my church. I’m going to my friend’s church tonight for some real entertainment!” It’s an extremely important lesson to learn that, when it comes to obeying GOD, it doesn’t matter what people think! Won’t it make a greater impact if you say instead, “No, sorry, I’m going to our youth group’s Bible study! You should come with me!” and, “I’m looking forward to tonight’s sermon. I know worship is not for entertainment, and I’m glad I get to sing praises to Him, pray to Him, learn about Him, and be with my Christian family!”
Obeying GOD will come easily when we have a close relationship with Him. Others will see our total commitment to Him when we adamantly turn away the world’s ideas of “fun,” and find our true happiness in serving Him! One day, I want to see God look at me and say, “You were righteous in your generation…” Keep Genesis 7:1 in mind as you go through life.
Hannah Smith
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