By Faith…
This week’s Bible study was based off of Hebrews 11 and 12. As you may know already, Hebrews 11 is known as the “hall of faith” chapter. Read that chapter again if you haven’t for awhile! Who is your favorite hall of faither?
As a kid, one of my most favorite Bible stories was that of Noah’s Ark. Noah made it too the hall of faith, obviously, but the more I think about it, what he did was rather crazy! Hebrews 11:7 says: By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Put yourself in his shoes for a second – imagine hearing from God that you should build an ark. It’s not just any ark – it’s a 450x75x45 foot “boat.” I look outside the window and I see our little ole 14 foot aluminum boat and think shnikees! Noah, I give you credit! Genesis 7:5 says – And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him”
Imagine building a boat of this capacity, in the middle of dry land. The only thing that is guiding you is the “holy fear” – the fact that you want to obey God 100%. Would I have obeyed and built that boat? With Noah being human, I’m sure he had a second of doubt like, “God, you are really asking me to do this?” But Genesis 6:9 says – Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. I can’t wait to talk to Noah in heaven! To build an ark, to sit on this ark for 40 days and 40 nights with all these animals that are probably having a hayday in there b/c they’ve been cooped up, and imagine the STINK?!?! Let alone the stink of yourself! I suppose there wasn’t a lack of water, but I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall in that ark (then again, there probably were plenty!).
By faith Kristin….
If I had a “section” in there, what would it say? I know there are areas in my life that I do not live completely by faith – some areas I try to do it my own way. All those people in the hall of faith believed in God and believed that it was their faith in God’s promises that would carry them through their difficult times. I find that chapter to be very challenging because I read the various stories and think wow – I’m so glad I don’t have to go through that! Then again, God calls ordinary people to go through and do extraordinary things. No matter what God calls us to, we have to faithful to Him b/c He has been perfectly faithful to us!
