Day 331, Year 1

The Fear of God Leads to Relevant Actions

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7 NASB)

The Greek text begins with “faith caused Noah to be shown (a thing) not yet seen.” The word “warned” also means “instructed, or revealed” (Matthew 2:22). We can receive any message, including warnings, from God because of our openness and also by faith in Him, and this was the experience of Noah and many other God’s people. This revelatory warning caused Noah to fear and take action. The result of having God as the center of his life is receiving His salvation. What Noah received was a warning about the future and how he would be able to escape the great flood. It was a blessing he had received from God, but it also had to be accompanied by years of hard work in building the ark. In short, our faith in God is needed to be free from all restrictions and even inappropriate expectations, but follow His guidance in order to be saved.

Noah was warned before the judgment of the great flood. Similarly, today we are warned of the great tribulation of the last day. Noah, by trusting God, foresaw the great flood. We can also foresee Jesus’ great judgment on you and me by faith. Because of faith in the words of the Bible, God’s coming judgment has been written in our hearts, and the faith has made it substantial. This causes us to be in awe and take relevant actions. His criterion for judging is what He has said (John 12:48). Thus, believers must carefully understand and obey the words of Jesus so that we can be saved in the future. 

Today’s verse “in reverence” is preceded by a comma. In other words, the fear urged him to prepare the ark. Noah was warned that not only did he take God’s warning to heart, but he also took action and built an ark. The Chinese Union translation of “reverence heart” is very good. Reverence must come from the heart. Noah didn’t build the ark out of fear of death. Rather, it is because he fears God in his heart and desires to follow His commands, doing anything and preparing for the future. Contrarily, not fearing God and not listening to His words is more terrible than the calamity of the great flood. The lives and decisions of unbelievers are uncertain. They are often anxious and phobic, and are going to be swallowed up by coming disasters.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you feel that you have the greatest openness to God, that you are willing to listen to whatever He says to you?

2) Does your faith make you fear God? And how will you actualize your fear of God?