Sometimes in life we are called to stand alone, a situation that is rarely easy. Today, we are going to look into the inspiring record of a man and his family who were called to stand alone. They were literally alone in a world full of people. We are introduced to Noah in Genesis 6:8 with the simple statement, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." These few words declare Noah's righteousness; his strength; and his courage to stand alone. When we consider Genesis 6:5-7, we discover just how strong and courageous Noah really was. He was willing to stand alone against the entire world. He and his family were willing to be different, for God. In our lesson today let's revisit the record of Noah and seek to be inspired by his character and his courage.

Noah Stood with God

In Genesis 6:5-9 we learn that Noah was faithful to God. We are not told how God communicated His will with men, at the time of Noah but we He had and we must also understand that everyone had rejected God's way, everyone, that is, except Noah. The time of Noah was many centuries before the Law of Moses but we are told that Noah walked with God. This means that Noah listened to God; feared Him and kept His commandments. It is difficult to walk with God when it only seems like we are alone in it; here though, quite literally, Noah was alone in a world of wickedness. Noah's strength and independence is put to even more of a test Genesis 6:11-21. God declares His plan to Noah. He told Noah that He was going to destroy everyone and everything on the earth. Along with the promise of this destruction also came a promise of hope, a plan through which Noah could be saved, an ark. This massive project was impossible to complete without the notice of onlookers and certainly there would be ridicule from the godless people around him. No, it is not easy to stand alone, in this world, but Noah did for God Genesis 6:22.

Noah Shows Us We Can

What is the greatest lesson from the ark? Perhaps it is that we are capable of doing whatever God asks! We can take on courage instead of excuse. Can you imagine being faced with the task of building the ark? God asked Noah to do something very difficult considering that the ark itself was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet tall, a football field and a half in length and nearly covering half of its width. This massive undertaking was a daunting task From the moment we learn that there was a man named Noah we are introduced to him as a man who listened to God Genesis 6:8. His example is of trust and faith. Perhaps to this point Noah had only offered sacrifices to God and maintained God's directions for living right. Now he is told to build a massive ark in chapter six and then he is told to enter the ark and wait 7:1-4, through all of this Noah trusted; Noah waited with faith. Noah simply did what God said 6:22; 7:5.

In our own lives, God has only expected what we are capable of. If it seems like God expects too much, that is your challenge to push yourself for more. If it doesn't seem like enough, that is your challenge to trust and obey. Noah inspired us to doing "all that the Lord commands". With faith and trust that we can do it

Noah was Safely Delivered

What was the end result of Noah's trust? Genesis 8:1-19. He trusted God enough to follow His plan. He trusted God enough to enter into and stay in the ark. Now, he was alive in a renewed world when all others perished. This is the great similarity in which we find ourselves. God has given us a plan, not an ark, a church Matthew 16:18. We need to enter His church and stay in it Colossians 1:18-23. We will find ourselves in a new world, Heaven Revelation 21:1-4.

Conclusion

Noah is a hero that inspires us to face the task, whatever it may be. He demonstrated diligence. He exemplified effort. He showed stick-to-itiveness. God has made some requests of us. We know that we can do all that He asks. Today are you motivated to do God's will? To seek Him no matter the cost? So you can be safely delivered? The opportunity is yours, right now. T Sean Sullivan