“But Noah found favor with the LORD . . . So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” (Genesis 6:8 and 22, NLT) 

Near where I live is an area with a Walk of Fame that honors more than 150 famous people from the Greater St. Louis area. Embedded in the sidewalk are brass stars and bronze plaques recognizing entertainers, sports figures, literary figures, and others with notable accomplishments.

I’ve walked the street and read many of the plaques on this Walk of Fame, but I find myself more impressed by the names I find listed in Hebrews 11. This chapter contains the Faith Hall of Fame. There are no brass stars or bronze plaques, but the men and women listed there are my heroes. Let me tell you one man’s story.

Noah was nearly 500 years old when God said He could no longer tolerate the wickedness of mankind (Genesis 6). Yet, this one man found favor in God’s sight, and God spared him and his family from a watery destruction. When God told Noah to make an ark of gopher wood, he did not protest or procrastinate. He got to work—and continued to work for the next 120 years. He did not wait for the storm clouds to gather before he began to build. Hebrews 11:7 says he “moved with godly fear.”

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, NKJV)

What if God gave us such mind-boggling instructions just as He gave Noah? How would we respond? Would we gather supplies and get to work while the neighborhood hecklers watched and jeered? That’s what Noah did. He didn’t let the opinion of others deter him from obeying God’s instructions.

Building the ark was no little weekend project for Noah and his sons. It measured 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. That’s approximately 510 feet (155.4 meters) long by 50 feet (15.2 meters) high.  The construction of this massive boat took over 100 years. That’s a long time to work without any sign of the promised deluge. But Noah and his sons just kept doing what needed to be done.

So, what is faith? Faith means following God’s instructions even if we don’t completely understand. It means starting to build a boat long before raindrops will ever fall from the sky. It means continuing to work even if we don’t know God’s timetable. It’s continuing to build while others laugh and mock. Most importantly, faith continues to warn although no one heeds that warning.

Faith is holding fast to our assurance that God never lies and will always keep His promises. 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, ESV) 

I believe God’s Faith Hall of Fame did not end with verse 40 of Hebrews 11. Heroes of faith are still being added to heaven’s records. Men and women still live with a strong assurance and conviction that they will see things yet unseen. They know beyond a doubt that God keeps His word.

Has God given you a seemingly impossible assignment to fulfill? Be assured that with His help you will also see things not yet seen? Life will not always be trouble-free. You may have doubters and detractors; but if God asked you to do it, He will help bring it to pass. Don’t wait for the raindrops to start falling. Get busy now!

Encourage others. In the Comments area, share your favorite faith-inspiring verse.

 

Author

Mary enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with old friends. Although directionally challenged, she would rather take the back roads with their discoveries than the boredom of the interstate.

3 Comments

  1. Sandra Thompson

    Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  2. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
    (Philippians 4:13).”