Singled Out, But Not Alone

I'm reading through Genesis right now. I'm on chapter six. Now, I've read this book many times, but don't you just love how new things pop out each time you read His Word?! Oh the depths of the riches of His words! There is so much for me to learn (and apply!) from this particular passage of history. So, here is one thing the Lord is stirring in my mind, heart and soul through my reading today.

My own heart hurts from reading that God's heart was grieved because of the wickedness of man upon the earth. That our Creator, our God, felt sorry that He had even made man. Oh, the immense weight of that! That's enough to cause one to pause and reflect on the gravity of such a statement.

But, despite my heart hurting, I'm also encouraged and inspired by this chapter. By Noah specifically. I'm encouraged and have been given hope that I too can rise up and not "conform to the pattern of this world" (Romans 12:2), that I don't have to be like the crowd. That I can be different...because I am different. I am a child of God who has been set apart. A few other names used throughout Scripture for those of us in Christ are holy ones, saints, aliens - we are different - we don't need to try to be - we are. But that's a whole different subject altogether. So, back to my original thought...

God describes the state of the earth in Noah's day: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his [man] heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." Genesis 6:5-6, and He continues in verse 11, "Now the earth of corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence." I'm thinking our world today isn't too much different. Simply turn on the news or walk outside and there is evidence of it all around us. And that's sad, so very sad, considering how that affects God's heart...the Creator of our hearts and lives.

But the good and encouraging news that I find in this passage: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God." vs. 8-9. Can you imagine the integrity of Noah? In a world that was corrupt, when the intent of everyone's heart was evil all the time, and violence was the way of life, Noah was found to be blameless and righteous! I'm guessing that Noah wasn't the most popular guy. Probably felt alone, even among his friends and family; but still he chose to hold tight to His convictions in God. He continually went against the crowd, he wasn't the "life of the party." He probably made those around him feel uncomfortable because he wasn't going along with them. He chose to walk with God when all others chose to walk in their own way. He was different - because he walked with God.

Noah may not have been the most popular guy in town, but when all was said and done...he was the one still standing in the end; admiring the breath-taking scene of the first-ever rainbow, and relishing in the promise that it held from the One that he chose to obey and trust (even at the expense of not fitting in with the crowd).

In this world there are voices all around me telling me to follow their lead and go their way; saying that the way I desire to go is "old-fashioned," "not necessary," "more work," or just plain foolishness. This leaves me with two choices: to conform and compromise (usually begins with the little things) or to stand firm. In the midst of this continual opposition, will I choose to "stand firm" (Ephesians 6:14) and choose to "prove [myself] to be blameless and innocent, [a child] of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [I] appear as [a light] in the world, holding fast to the word of life..." (Philippians 2:15)? I love the NIV's translation "and you will shine among them like stars in the sky." That is my desire. Not for my glory, but for God's. And by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within me, I can. Just as Noah did.

I'm thankful for those faithful ones whom have gone before me and have paved the way, like Noah - offering examples of faithful lives lived for God. As these individuals pass by me (whether through the pages of Scripture or in my daily life), there is a sweet fragrance that lingers about them, and you can almost hear the soft invitation that their lives offer: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1. And so I will choose to stand up and follow in their footsteps.