Standing Firm

Genesis 6:22 NASBS

Dear reader, do not be mistaken, it is a fact that sin has affected every generation. The scriptures tell us, “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” Yes, it is true, from the time of the fall recorded in Genesis until now, rebellion has been birthed in the heart of every living creature. We see this throughout all of human history; “Men have become lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, and there is no fear of God before their eyes.” As a result, the world is filled with violence because of the wickedness of mankind, and not only that, but with the technology we have today, sin is glorified before the eyes of our children. Murder is a common thing that is seen every day in entertainment and alcohol and drugs run rampant in our streets. So we see that apart from the love of Jesus the intentions of man’s heart are continually wicked, having been filled with all unrighteousness.

What a tremendous effect this has had on all of humanity, but there is hope, for the Lord is sovereignly calling many out of darkness to look upon His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the remission of their sins. He is creating in them saving faith, sealing them with the Holy Spirit, and empowering them to obedience. This is what we see happen to Noah in a very dark day, much like ours. The truth is, he was not righteous in and of Himself, but God chose to save him from the perversions of His day. Not only did the Lord save him, but the Lord created in him saving faith that would lead him to hate the things that are contrary to God’s law. Noah would begin to see the surrounding world through the righteousness of God’s eyes and he would begin to speak out against it. Holy zeal for God’s glory flamed within him, and he became known to the ancient world as a preacher of righteousness. He stood against the sexual corruption and others sins that had become the cultural norms of His day, warning them that judgment was soon to come. Though he was mocked and laughed at for building an ark, he abounded in the work of the Lord and trust in him regardless of how he might have felt.

Noah did all the Lord had commanded him, and He and his family were saved from the judgement that came upon the earth during his day. He did not cave into the pressures of temptation that were constantly afflicting his mind, but he submitted himself in obedience to the word of the Lord. Those of you who know the Lord, who have come to Christ Jesus, do not forsake His commandments, but rather turn to them in obedience. The word of God became the source of strength to Noah in the days of ridicule, and they haven’t changed today. Let God be found true though every man be a liar. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make

DEVOTIONAL your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.” May the Lord give Christians today the strength and desire to stand against the sin in our day as Noah did in his.