Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Faith is not just positive words but it is a weapon. 1 John 5:4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. The weapon that gives us victory over the wiles of the world is faith. It is the protective defensive weapon that protects us from the fiery darts of the devil. Take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16a). Faith is the personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects us from the arrows of doubt, disbelief and dissolution. Noah’s faith was clothed with the PPE gear when he was commanded to build an ark.
Noah lived at a time when the wickedness of the world had ripened for God’s wrath! Genesis 6:7a-8 So the Lord said, “..I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. It was Noah’s faith that became his ‘defensive weapon’ against the great impending destruction. Noah’s faith was the PPE gear that protected him from the mockery, slur and clamour of the people whom he lived around him. When Noah was commanded to build an ark, the world had not witnessed rain. The earth was watered by the springs of the earth. However, Noah heeded to a warning that he did not even understand. He had never experienced rain, storms or flood, however, he was obedient to God’s forewarning because he trusted in the words of God more than what he witnessed. Hence, his faith became his weapon.
Faith is the defensive weapon and the PPE gear of protection:
1. Warns: Faith raises our alert levels and empowers us with battle strategies. The weapon that defeats doubt is the viscosity of the Word of faith in our heart. Genesis 6:12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. Noah took God’s warning seriously and acted on it. Faith implants Godly fear and keeps us cautioned and warned. Faith keeps us vigilant to the ways of God.
2. Works: Faith without obedience is dead. Faith without obedience is like the photograph on the wall. It is only a portrait and not the real person. James 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Faith is not just knowing what is right but living and choosing righteously. Faith is God’s word in action.
3. Witnesses: Faith that directs our path becomes the evidence of our righteousness. Genesis 6:9 Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. The same faith that witnessed for his forefathers, Abel and Enoch stood as a testimony for Noah’s faith and his righteous living. Faith that leads to obedience will become our witness. Faith qualifies us for divine inheritance.
The substance is trust and the evidence is obedience. Faith is the weapon and obedience is the effective use of the armoury to defeat the wickedness of the world.
Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I submit to fully trust your word and warning and be obedient to you guidance. Amen.
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