Heirs of Righteousness

We learn to trust God’s promises and why it is important.

Hebrews 11:7
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.

The story of Noah building the ark always amazes me.  Noah kept the faith of something God told him would happen even though it seemed ridiculous.  Despite the ridicule of those around him, he stayed focused on God and God’s purpose for his life.  You can read the story starting in Genesis 6 of how Noah faithfully carried out the work that God called him to.  One interesting point in the story, which we should be careful to note, is what we read in Genesis 6:9,

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.

Noah “walked with God.”  This is why his faith and righteousness was so great.  He became best friends with God (just as we read yesterday about Enoch).  I’m starting to see a trend here that someone’s faith and righteousness is directly related to their walk with God.  When people talk about you behind your back, would they say, “He/She walks with God.”  Additionally, because of Noah’s closeness with God, he became an heir of righteousness, which is only achieved through faith.  But, faith in what?

God’s providence is something we need to learn to trust.  God always provides what He says He will provide: food, shelter, and even a flood.  God’s promises are never empty; they are always fulfilled.  This is something key that we need to learn and was established very early in the Scriptures for us to start to grasp.  Throughout the bible we read of God’s promises.  Some have come to fruition, some are becoming a reality right now, and the rest are set to mature in the future.  As much as people want to contest the bible, one thing they cannot challenge rightfully is God following through on what He said would happen.  Unfortunately, we compare God to man, who cannot be trusted and therefore think we cannot trust God.

Because Noah was close with God, the absurdity of God flooding the earth and Noah needing to build a huge ship to house himself and a bunch of animals didn’t seem very absurd.  When you are close enough with someone, you know when they are serious, even if it doesn’t make sense to you.  Some people look at the story of Noah and think, “I could never do something like that.”  Sure you could, if you had the faith and solid relationship with God like Noah did.  Note: God called Noah to build the ark because He knew Noah would and could.

One last thing to consider is how Noah’s faith and subsequent righteousness affected others.  It led to the salvation of his household.  This is huge.  Other than God, our next love is our family.  Do you have family members that aren’t saved?  Do you have friends who don’t believe in God?  Your walk with God, your faith, and your righteousness in His eyes affect those around you and could save them.  The Great Flood of Noah’s time is but a tiny representation of what is to come.  This isn’t meant to preach “fire and brimstone,” rather I want you to understand the importance of increasing your relationship with God.  It isn’t about you; it’s about Him and those around you (read Matthew 22:35-40).  You have the opportunity to bridge the gap.  You might be the only candle of light shining in the darkness of someone else’s life.

It is interesting that this is the topic for Christmas Eve.  In Isaiah 9, God promises through the prophet the coming of Jesus so that all, despite their unrighteousness, would have an opportunity to walk with God.

Are you walking with God today?


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