Radical Obedience in a World Gone Mad - Treasures of Faith - Week 3 Day 4

TODAY'S TREASURE

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Hebrews 11:7 (also see Genesis 6:1–22)

Transcript

Radical Obedience in a World Gone Mad

Chuck and Sharon Betters

Today’s Treasure

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Hebrews 11:7 (also see Genesis 6:1–22)

Noah’s name may bring to mind animals two by two and bright rainbows, but we must not let the Sunday School version of his story soften its sharp edges. Noah lived in a world that had completely unraveled. Genesis 6 paints a grim picture: “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (v. 5). The evil was not random; it was relentless and universal. God’s heart was grieved, and His justice could no longer be withheld.

But in the middle of the decay, one man stood out: “Noah found favor [grace] in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). Like his great-grandfather Enoch, Noah walked with God. His life didn’t blend into the background. It shined as a stark contrast against the darkness of his culture.

Hebrews 11:7 reveals the foundation of Noah’s courage: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen…” What were those things? A worldwide flood. Judgment. Rain. Even the very concept of an ark. Nothing about God’s command made logical sense. Noah was called to prepare for a catastrophe the world had never seen by building a vessel no one had ever heard of, to escape a judgment no one believed was coming. But Noah obeyed—not with half-hearted compliance, but with holy fear.

Noah did not delay. He didn’t demand a sign or a second opinion. He didn’t ask for a smaller assignment. He responded with “radical obedience.” He set aside life as he knew it and devoted himself—his time, labor, resources, and reputation—to the task God gave him. And he did this not for a weekend or a month, but for decades. While the world mocked and dismissed him, Noah stayed the course.

We can only imagine the ridicule. The neighbors surely questioned his sanity. His children likely wrestled with embarrassment. Did Noah ever question himself? Did he wonder if God’s promise would come? Maybe. But he kept building. He kept preaching. He kept trusting.

And the day came when God said, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation” (Genesis 7:1). That verse carries profound hope—Noah’s faithfulness influenced his family. While the rest of the world ignored the warning, Noah’s family followed him into the safety of God’s provision.

Scripture describes Noah as “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). His life and words offered the watching world a way out, but no one else responded. Hebrews tells us that by his faith, Noah condemned the world. His belief made their unbelief inexcusable. Their destruction was not because they weren’t warned—it was because they refused to listen.

It’s tempting to read Noah’s story and distance ourselves from its urgency. But we live in a culture equally resistant to truth. We are warned about judgment. We are told that Christ will return. We have clear instructions about how to prepare. And we, too, are called to radical obedience.

God has not called us to build arks, but He has called us to live boldly, rooted in Scripture, committed to truth, and willing to obey even when it costs us. Like Noah, our obedience may look strange to the watching world. But it speaks volumes.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

Noah’s story reminds us that faith is not just a private belief—it’s a public declaration. Every board he nailed, every tree he cut, every day he spent building that ark proclaimed: I believe God. Even when no one else did.

Are you facing an assignment from the Lord that feels overwhelming, costly, or misunderstood by those around you? Is God calling you to obey in a way that seems foolish in the world’s eyes? Like Noah, you can step forward in holy fear, not because you have all the answers, but because you trust the One who does.

Obedience doesn’t always feel powerful. Sometimes it looks like making a phone call, apologizing, saying no to a tempting shortcut, or saying yes to a ministry opportunity that scares you. But obedience, no matter how small it seems, builds a legacy of faith for those around you—your children, friends, neighbors, and church family.

Let your life preach. Even when your words fall flat, even when no one applauds, even when you’re tired—keep building. Your obedience might just be the ark that helps carry others safely into the arms of Jesus.

PRAYER

Father, when You call me to hard things, help me to respond like Noah—with holy fear and quiet trust. Give me the courage to obey even when I don’t understand and the perseverance to keep going when I’m weary. May my life proclaim Your faithfulness to those around me. Amen.

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Adapted from Treasures of Faith by Chuck and Sharon Betters with permission from P&R Publishing

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