A FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Genesis 6:5–9, 17–22; 8:20–22
For over 40 years, I have been a fan of the Atlanta Braves. If you have been a fan of the Braves since the 1980s, you know there were several years when they were not that great. Some seasons, they were horrible. But if you stuck it out, the wins would come later on.
They started this season by losing seven in a row. No team has ever begun the season with that many consecutive losses and made the postseason. However, as of late, they are starting to show signs of life and are improving. True Braves fans are increasing their faith that things will continue to improve.
Faith is essential for having a close relationship with God. The object of a person’s faith reveals many things. For example, if my hope and confidence rest in the things of this world, I will continue to be stressed and shaken.
If my faith is in God, I will daily learn to trust Him and seek Him in all situations. As a result, my fellowship with Him and the local church will be sweeter, and I will be more effective in my service to others.
To live by faith means living in a right relationship with God. (6:5–9)
These verses clearly show that the world was in a mess. The Lord saw man’s wickedness running rampant throughout the earth, and evil and sin consumed their thoughts. God also saw something else — Noah.
Noah chose to maintain a right relationship with God and keep himself unstained by those around him. Noah understood that faith was not only a belief system or a flood of emotions but a promise of commitment to stay true to God.
Each of us is expected to make this same commitment. Every day is new and an opportunity to nurture or neglect our relationship with the Heavenly Father.
To live by faith calls for obedience. (17–22)
The most significant test of our faith in God and His Word is the measure of our corresponding obedience. Noah may have thought God’s instructions unusual and even far-fetched yet he submitted. Sometimes, God does not make sense to us. Do not worry; He is testing your faith and obedience level.
While our finite minds cannot grasp God’s ways, we can know for sure that His ways will always be the best. Authentic faith compels us to trust God when we do not have all the answers.
To live by faith is to honor and worship God. (8:20–22)
When we encounter God through our obedience and right relationship, we will begin to appreciate our times of worship and realize our great privilege in doing so. Like Noah, as we obey the Lord, we see how the puzzle pieces of His glory and our life come together. While God did not need Noah (or you or me), He allows us to share in pointing others to Him.
Is your worship of God not what it should be? Could it be that your service to Him and obedience are lacking? Are you as faithful to God in this messed-up world as you should be? Consider these things, correct what needs correcting and the worship will come. Will the Braves be playing baseball in October? I have no idea, but our God will still be faithful even if they are not.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
