FAITH EXPRESSED THROUGH OBEDIENCE
Published by Olwin Gosal in 2026 · 25 January 2026
FAITH EXPRESSED THROUGH OBEDIENCE
Shalom! There was a man who was commanded by God to build a large ship, not to sail on the ocean, but as preparation before a great flood. When he began building the ship, many people questioned, mocked, and ridiculed him. The man tried to explain to them that God had commanded him to build the large ship. But they did not believe what he said, because they did not believe in God. Although he was ridiculed and mocked, he persevered in his work because he believed in and was obedient to God. He built the ship for approximately one hundred years, and during that time he was continuously mocked and considered strange.
Let's open the Bible, Hebrews 11:7 “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 is in keeping with faith.”
My brothers and sisters, faith in God transcends human sight. Although Noah had not yet seen any signs of what God had told him, he was willing to believe and obediently do his part according to the instructions that God had given him. Genesis 6:22, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” This verse speaks of Noah's obedience in building the ark. Many Bible commentators say that Noah built it for about a hundred years, based on the time frame mentioned in Genesis 5:32, “After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.” and Genesis 7:6, “Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth.” This speaks of faith and obedience that were tested over a very long period, yet the Bible records that he built the ark exactly as God wanted, the model, the size, the materials—all precisely as God commanded!
Genesis 7:5, “And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.” This speaks of obedience when God commanded Noah and his family to enter the ark. Noah obeyed and led his family to obey God's command. In Genesis 7:9 it says: “male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah.” God brought the animals into the ark exactly as He told Noah.
What happened in the story of the flood, everything happened exactly as God ordered. And this shows that Noah was someone who respected God and His word. So, Noah is said to be a believer, because he has gone through a long life journey in obedience to God. So it's not just suddenly, but there is a process that he has gone through, which really shows that he believes and entrusts his life completely to God, even though what God commands seems impossible and strange for humans.
My brothers and sisters, you might be wondering how you can understand God's commands like Noah did? There is no other way than by living in fellowship with God; the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom, understanding, and sensitivity to understand God's commands and will. Please listen to last Sunday's sermon.
Perhaps today God is commanding us to do something, but we are still hesitant, we are still thinking about what will happen in the future. Especially when there are people who think that what we are about to do is strange, foolish, or detrimental to ourselves, so we begin to waver because we haven't seen the results yet. But my brothers and sisters, just obey, just take the step! Walk by faith with your eyes fixed on God and His commands! Walking according to God's commands indeed involves many challenges that He allows to mature our faith, but walking according to worldly wisdom is foolishness that will lead to destruction.
My brother/sister, in what ways is God asking you to obey His commands? Even if it feels difficult and burdensome. How can we do it?
God will guide you step by step in following His plan for your life. But the question is, are you willing to obey? Amin. God Bless You!