Yes! The Year of ObedienceSample

Noah's Obedience

On this first day of the plan, we will be exegeting Genesis 6, using NLT.

​The account of Noah’s life starts with him finding favour in the Lord’s eyes, on a land full of corruption, evil, and violence. Scripture highlights a line that carries this devotional in saying “he walked in close fellowship with God,” according to the NLT translation. Some translations say “walked with God”. Noah was a courageous contrarian, committed to not following the patterns of the world that existed in his time. I often wonder if evilness, corruption, and violence in Noah’s time were similar to what evilness, corruption and violence are today. Since history repeats itself, I am convinced that the latter mirrors the former.

God gave Noah the instruction to build a boat to save his family and animals. This instruction was solely for the benefit of Noah, his family and the animals. Not in so many words, but God is saying to Noah, “I want you to live”. This instruction came with details that mitigate the risk of a failed project when followed correctly; there was precision and accuracy. God, in His kindness, presented a solution to Noah before He destroyed the world. There’s a love-commitment between Noah and God. This love-commitment is seen again when Noah followed instructions as they were, “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” Genesis 6:22 NLT. Another point to derive from this love-commitment is that God told Noah the reason behind His decision to destroy the world, making Him a considerate figure of authority by clearly communicating cause and effect.

Obedience is a Latin root word meaning “to hear” and “to listen” interchangeably. Noah heard, listened and acted. I wonder if he would have been able to listen if he hadn’t devoted himself to walking closely with God. I wonder if he would have heard if he didn’t delight himself in the Lord. I also wonder if he would have acted if he didn’t have a love-commitment with God. It appears to me that obedience is an act of love for the one whom we find our solace in. The gospel of John concurs with this, as it is written in red letters: “If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15 NLT

​Let’s Pray

Lord, help us to delight ourselves in you. May you be the one in whom we find our solace. Teach us to love you with every fibre of our being.

Amen.