People in the Bible Who Pleased God: Noah

    Noah lived amongst a generation in which “the wickedness of man was great,” and “every intent of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually.” The earth was “filled with violence” and “was corrupt before God… for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:5-8, 11-12).

    Why?

    Noah was a just man, perfect* in his generations. Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:9). Because of this, he was divinely warned of the impending flood, he was given precise instruction, and Noah, in receiving these, moved with godly fear and prepared an ark for the saving of his household (Hebrews 11:7).

* perfect, from the Hebrew word tamim (Strong’s Hebrew #8549), meaning innocent, blameless, having integrity, of God’s way

    In building the ark just as the LORD had instructed, and allowing himself (and his household) to be closed up into it, Noah showed the world the difference between following God and following self; he showed where the two paths lead, and in doing so, he condemned* the world and became an heir of righteousness.   

*condemned, from the Greek word katakrino (Strong’s Greek #2632), which means by one’s good example they render another’s wickedness more evident and censurable. See Matthew 12:41 and Luke 11:31. Consider also Ephesians 5:8-14. The unfruitful works of darkness are not exposed by our words (“it is shameful even to talk of those things”) but by our walking in the light – doing what is right in God’s sight – the difference will be obvious; showing all who observe us that there is another – a better – way.

    Because he trusted and obeyed God, Noah reaped the benefits of being righteous: he and all his household were saved. After the flood, God blessed Noah (and his sons) and made a covenant with him – an everlasting covenant – with a sign that we can still see today: the rainbow (Genesis 9:1-17), and later in scripture, Noah was noted for his righteousness: by the LORD in Ezekiel 14:14, 20, and in 2 Peter 2:5, Peter describes him as “a preacher of righteousness.”    

    What can we learn from Noah’s life?

    Like Noah, we live in a world that has its heart set on evil continually, and, we too, we have been divinely warned (through God’s word, the Bible). Like him, we need to move with godly fear and prepare “an ark” for the saving of our household. We need to protect our household and give them a future by showing them how to obey God’s commands and instructions with sincere love and respect for God.

    Like Noah, our ark (aka our commitment to righteousness through faith) is built by following God’s precise instruction – instruction found only in His word. Our ark is built in trust and obedience, and it will…

…show our household that God’s word is worthy of both our time and our attention. In living right before God, we will prove that His will is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

…allow us to be an example to believers (1 Timothy 4:12-16), and those in the world who see our good works, who may come to glorify God (1 Peter 2:11-12).

…protect us and buoy us in storms (1 Peter 2:18-25, James 1:2-4, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:9-21).

…give us a future (Hebrews 10:32-39, Matthew 7:13-14, Mark 13:13)   

“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:8-20 NKJV)

    Noah pleased God and found grace in His eyes because he trusted Him and obeyed His commands even when the world around him refused. He taught his sons, while he built the ark and when they boarded the ark, that God’s way can and should be trusted, and that it is the only way to salvation.

    Let’s determine to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) so that we learn to do what is right, and so we can give our household a future by showing them how to practice righteousness and shine as lights in a wicked world (Philippians 2:14-16).

You can do it! So can I!!

   

Walking as a Christian: Our Five Senses – Smell

    Scent can invigorate us or calm us; it can repulse us or draw us in. It can even make us feel nostalgic because scent is often linked with our memories. We like being around things that smell nice to us and, as much as we can help it, we will avoid being around the smells we don’t prefer. Many of us are particular about how we smell, we don’t want to be off-putting to others, but have a pleasant scent that does not offend; it is for this very reason that perfumes, colognes, scented shampoos, and soaps/body washes are always in high demand.

    Knowing this, consider this passage:

“Now thanks be to God who leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ* among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the others the aroma of life leading to life…” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NKJV)

    The knowledge of God and Christ is our fragrance – some will be drawn to it in their search for God and some will be repelled by it (Romans 8:6-7, 1 Peter 4:1-6, see how light has the same effect in John 3:16-21). Our own senses will develop as we study and gain knowledge of God, allowing us to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).

*Interesting Fact: Psalm 45:8 describes scent of the coming Messiah’s garments as being scented with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Myrrh smells like sweet licorice/anise, aloe smells fresh, like cool water, and cassia is similar to the scent of cinnamon. All three of these scents have a calming effect: myrrh calms and steadies the mind and is good for rest, aloe is soothing, helps with depression, and is mood-regulating, cassia helps with anxiety and shyness, and helps relieve the stress of perfectionism, making mistakes, and dwelling on the negative. Now read and consider Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30. He is the very place, the only place, we can find true peace (Philippians 4:6-8).

    As we live for Christ (Galatians 2:20) and walk as He walked (1 John 2:3-6) we will find that some will be pleased with our behaviour and choices because they see the goodness in it (they may even ask us why we do what we do, 1 Peter 3:15), while others will see that same goodness and behave as though we are preaching words of condemnation at them as they compare our choices/behaviour to their own. The latter ones don’t want to come to the light and they are repelled by the very fragrance that emits from us as we allow God and His word to guide us.     

    Throughout the Old Testament there are mentions of the required offerings and sacrifices causing a sweet-smelling aroma that reached God (ex: Genesis 8:20-21, Leviticus 2:9). Although we are no longer required to offer blood sacrifices because of Jesus’ sacrifice, which was once for all (Hebrews 10:8-10), we still offer sacrifices to God that cause sweet aroma to reach Him. We offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:24) and when we walk in love as Christ loved us we are offering a sweet-smelling aroma to God (just as Christ did when loved us and gave Himself for us, Ephesians 5:1-2).  Sharing our blessings and helping those in need also offers “a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). And did you know that our very prayers are golden bowls of incense to God in heaven? Read and consider Revelation 5:8, it may just change the way you approach prayer and make you more consistent in your offering of them.

    Do you smell of the fragrance of Christ? Does knowledge of God and His Son permeate from you – making it evident to all that you are a child of God (think on 1 Timothy 4:15-16)? Are you developing your own sense of smell through reading, study, and application (Hebrews 5:14, James 1:21-27)? If you're walking as Jesus walked be proud of the way you smell, let it be your signature scent, as you humbly give yourself to the Lord and to the work He created you for (Ephesians 2:10)!   

You can do it! So can I!!