Devoted Builders

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah was devoted to building the ark. It was his getaway vehicle in an evil world. God gave Noah clear instructions for building the ark, using cypress wood and pitch. The ark had to be big enough for all the animals and all the food they would need for an unusually long rainy season.

Because he was righteous and diligent, Noah not only got a chance to ride in the biggest boat he’d ever seen, but he also got to make it. A lot of guys these days spend hours in the garage, working on projects. Noah’s garage wasn’t nearly big enough for his project. God told him, “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

I read that section of the chapter and immediately compared my packing list for our family vacations. If we go camping, we generally don’t take a TV or computer. We have to amuse ourselves with checking out our surroundings. My guess is that Noah and his family probably made pets of some of the animals. They didn’t have any board games for family night. They didn’t have time for it since they spent much of their time shoveling and cleaning the animal pens. I can’t imagine what they used as a garden hose to wash down the place and keep it smelling livable.

I think God took all that into consideration and gave Noah a lot more instruction than is in the Bible. Noah was successful at his enormous carpentry project because, as it says in Genesis 6:22, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” His obedience paid off in a big way.

It’s easy to see that Noah was a devoted builder, but it’s also easy to see that God is a devoted builder.

God has been devoted to building up his people for a long time. He’s dedicated beyond measure. He’s been patient with our weaknesses. He’s brought us back from our distractions. And he won’t stop until he sees the finished product he’s been building toward.

God cares deeply about us, and is probably waiting for us to turn to him with a heart like Noah’s and start doing everything “just as God commanded.”