Genesis 6 is the beginning of the story of Noah. In this chapter we learn that Noah was a pleasure to the Lord, while the rest of the world was a pain. "5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain." It broke God's heart that the world was wicked, and he regretted even making man. Imagine how bad it must have been back then! Noah was the ONLY man on earth to have a relationship with God. Think about that for a second. Think of how life must have been like for Noah who was surrounded by sin and bad deeds. He most certainly must have been some kind of outcast to society, yet he still continued in his relationship with God. God found favor in Noah and decided to spare him from the coming destruction.
How can we find favor with God? How can we make sure that we are a pleasure to God, and not a pain? That's not a distinction I want to particularly have. So how do we please God? God takes pleasure in our right behavior- the behavior we have, even when no one else is looking. Our lifestyle and our mind set should bring pleasure to God. Proverbs 12:22 says "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful." As a Father, he delights in us when we do what he wants us to do.
How often do we actually celebrate our relationship with God? We turn to him in times of need, and we rejoice when he provides. But what about those in between times? We should rejoice in his presence just because of his presence, not just because of the great gifts he has bestowed upon us. Noah was God's friend, even though everyone else around him had befriended the devil instead. Noah always tried to conduct his affairs as though God was with him right there, he was pleasing to God's eyes. He followed God's laws and God's commands. He pleased God with everything he did. Do we care more about pleasing God than pleasing others or ourselves? That is how we ensure that we are a pleasure to God and not a pain. We please him first before ourselves and before others.
2 comments:
How hard that must have been! I thank God everyday for my Christian frieds who support me and who I can fellowship with! Yet even without them we have direct fellowship with God!
imagine being Noah building a boat in the middle of land where there had never been rain! I think I'd have called him crazy, too! what an example of faith he it for us.
I know! And not only building a boat for in a land with no rain- but building it for years! It took almost 100 years to build that boat. I cannot imagine the riducule he experiences day in and day out, and to have it go on for years. Certainly makes any ridicule I may experience a drop in the bucket.
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