Walking to the Unknown

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord… Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God… 

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and… filled with violence… for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch… This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark,.. and set the door in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive. They shall be male and female.., two of every sort shall come in to you… Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up… as food for you and for them.’ Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” Genesis 6:8-9,11-22

It is not told what influenced Noah to begin walking with God nor come under His favor. Surely it was grace, and grace kept him keeping on. The only life Noah knew was in a populated land, the only rain he knew was the storm of wickedness and violence. Yet Noah was so intent on his Lord that when He commanded what was in scope and purpose unimaginable, with specific details and provision for future unknowns, Noah responded with ready assent. Against the relentless pressures of the world, he believed God was faithful. (Genesis 2:6; 6:5-6; Hebrews 11:7)

It is hard to imagine being asked to do something based on concepts completely foreign to our experience: an all-encompassing flood? The end of civilization? A vessel of such magnitude? A covenant that pledged only entering the ark? Walking to the unknown can be accomplished only by walking with the known, the God who in every detail is trustworthy. Walking with Him in any endeavor assures we are hemmed in behind and before, and that He will direct and supply for the future He has written. (Genesis 7:16; Psalm 139:5; Philippians 4:19)

What about the world’s ways is so familiar and attractive that we’re reticent to obey the Lord by faith? Where is He unsettling us and bidding us walk in a new direction with Him? What ingrown habits, or unhealthy relationships or entertainment would He have us leave behind? To what different or altogether new place or ministry is He leading? Do we trust Him with the unknowns of our future enough to set to work on an ark today, however He dictates, trusting His timing, details, and ends? (Micah 6:8; Hebrews 11:1,6)

Father, keep me walking with You so closely that I will boldly, gladly obey whenever and wherever You call.