Profiles In Courage: The Bible Edition (Noah) - March 2

Read Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Reflect

What fears do you think Noah faced? Would you consider Noah to be a courageous person? Why or why not?

In 1956, United States Senator and the future 35th US President, John F. Kennedy released a book titled, Profiles In Courage. It was a compilation of short biographies that described the courageous acts of senators who did what they felt was right, despite the opinions and criticism of others. The book became a best-seller and won JFK a Pulitzer Prize.

Let’s spend some time examining biblical profiles in courage. Let’s study the accounts of people who showed extraordinary bravery in the midst of fear. And, let’s consider the source of their courage. First up, Noah.

Noah lived during a time of extreme wickedness and perversion. In fact, in Genesis 6:7, God said that he would blot out every created thing from the earth because of prevailing wickedness. But, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). He was “a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9).

That alone is bold. It takes courage to be different. You have to be brave to shine a light in abject darkness. To be obedient and walk with God in a culture that is obscene and walks away from Him is courageous.

I am sure it also took bravery to obey God’s command to build the ark. Imagine hearing this from God: “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch…For behold, I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your son, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” (Genesis 6:13-14, 17-18).

I am sure Noah had a lot of questions and concerns about this. Imagine knowing that one day, God will execute judgment on everyone in the world and only your immediate family would be left on the planet! Do you think doubt ever crept in while the ark was under construction? What did his family think as he built a huge boat on dry land talking about the end of the world? Was he mocked and ridiculed by others for being a “religious nut” and a “doomsday prepper”? And yet, “...he did all that God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22).

In today’s verse, we see why Noah obeyed God. The author of Hebrews said Noah built the art “in reverent fear.” You see, Noah was able to be courageous, not because he had no fear at all, but because he feared God. He knew God was all-powerful and He knew God would not lie or falsely threaten.  Noah knew that God was capable of destroying the whole world with a flood and that if God said He was going to do it, He would do it. He also knew that God was right and just for exercising judgment on the world because God is perfectly holy and mankind had become completely wicked. Proverbs 1:7 says that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Only a fool would disobey the Lord God or ignore His commands and warnings. And Noah was no fool.

Thankfully, Noah also knew of God’s love. God provided a way of salvation for Noah to save him from the coming judgment. Noah knew that God was taking care of him. He trusted that the LORD would protect him just as He said He would. Noah knew God was fearsomely powerful, but because he walked with Him, he had nothing to fear.

The same goes for us. We should have a reverent fear of God. He is going to execute justice on the entire world once and for all (Revelation 20:12-15). But out of His mercy and love, He sent Jesus Christ to be our salvation. Just like everyone in the ark was saved, everyone in Christ will be saved as well. Jesus said He is “the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” (John 10:9). If you have placed your faith in Him, you have no need to be afraid. You are safe with Him.

Respond

Lord, I want to be strong and courageous like Noah. I know Noah wasn’t a perfect person and I confess that I am not either. But he walked with God and sought to do what God commanded him to do. May that be true of me as well. When I am afraid, please remind me that I am safe with You. Amen.

Reveal

Is there someone in your life that needs to hear the Gospel message that Jesus is the ark of salvation? If so, pray for that person right now and this week, look for opportunities to share the Gospel with them.