Time To Turn
Walk faithfully with God and see how he restores, rewards, and raises you up.
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God…God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.”
“So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them…I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth…So make yourself an ark…I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you…Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Genesis 6:9, 12-14, 18, 19, 22
It only takes a moment listening to the news or scrolling on the internet to see we are not dwelling in the garden of Eden. We live in a fallen world with brokenness here, there and everywhere. The ways of the world are not holy. Have you become accustomed to anything you know is not right but have accepted it in your life because you see it everywhere?
What did God require of Noah? Was it perfection, power and wisdom? No, the Lord looks for the same thing in us that He looked for in Noah. A faithful heart like a bride and groom.
“Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love…Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” Psalms 6:4, 8-9
It takes two turns to turn on the power in your life. Turn away from the temptations of the world and turn towards God. Where do I need to turn from anything that is keeping me from walking faithfully and turn towards relying on Christ's power living in me?
“Free yourself…There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
““My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.” Proverbs 6:5, 16-19, 20-23
Block and bind. What do I need to block from my life that moves me away from God? How easy it is to get caught in the trap of wrong which leads to separation. Binding wisdom in your life takes intentionality all day, every day. Faithfulness is displayed in how we choose to live our lives. Jesus wants to help you find freedom through your faithfulness.
“I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory...Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:1, 3, 8, 10
The Lord is looking for one. One person who will stand up to build an ark. One person who will praise and proclaim Holy, Holy, Holy on Earth as it is in heaven. One person to say here I am, send me. One person to become God’s hands and feet to others.
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
"Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and money.”
“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:8-10, 12-13, 20-21, 24-25, 33
Why would Noah build an ark when there had not been any rain? Because he trusted God. Why do we pray like Jesus taught, focusing on giving and storing treasures in heaven, seeking the kingdom first? Because we trust God.
What made Noah’s life known to future generations and what will define our lives is how live out our faith in God. We have a choice. Will we choose to follow the patterns of the world or will we walk faithfully with the God who knows us, created us for a purpose, restores us, and promises us the hope of eternity here and now? What will I choose today? Will I choose to turn to or turn from God? Jesus, I ask that you would reveal yourself to us today that we might know your unending love, have faith, be faithful, and follow you, and seek the kingdom first in all we do.