Building an ark by faith

Hebrews 11:7 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. Let’s look first today at what Noah did. He literally prepared a wooden box (an ark) to save his family from a rain that he had never seen happen. Therefore, his obedience wasn’t motivated by reason or natural understanding. We know it was an act of radical obedience simply because of the enormous size of the ark and therefore the time required to complete the project.  Second, let’s be encouraged by the fact that Noah prepared the ark in reverence. The Greek word translated reverence here was translated piety in Heb. 5:7. “In the days of His flesh, He (Jesus) offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.” It means both Jesus and Noah received well what God told them to do. It describes an attitude of heart that is devoted to accomplishing the will of God. That’s why they both received grace to obey, and God gets the glory. We have been commanded to love one another as proof of being Jesus’ disciples. Faith enables us to receive Jesus’ commandment well, which moves us to confidently seek God for grace to love for His glory. Third, let’s consider why he built the ark. I see two motivations in this verse. God told him to, and he loved his family. So the two motivations were obedience and love. Let’s note what drove the obedience and love. It was faith—faith that rose up within him when he heard God speak. But Noah wasn’t always a man of faith. In Gen. 6:5, God described Noah along with everyone else on the planet at that time. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Then in 8-9 we find an unexpected declaration. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” Noah was like Enoch. God chose to act favorably toward Noah. He didn’t deserve it. God’s grace to Noah was a favor, an act of 100% grace, not a reward for good deeds. Before God revealed Himself to Noah, every intent of Noah’s heart was only evil continually. At some point in his life, God gave Noah faith. He believed he continuously walked in God’s presence and that God would reward him if he continuously drew near to Him. It was by faith that Noah built the ark and loved his family.  Fourth, Noah inherited the righteousness of Christ, which is given in accordance with faith. If God gives faith, then God gives righteousness. They are a package given in love. If we believe in Jesus Christ and intentionally practice abiding in Him, drawing near to Him for grace to trust and love, then we also are heirs of righteousness. Like Noah, may we receive well God's call to live to love with Jesus. I encourage you to draw near to the throne of grace all day, in every situation and relationship. You are building your ark one plank at a time by faith for the benefit of those you love.