We are in the process of compiling and
publishing our first edition of the “Tails” devotions, entitled
“Tails from the Farm: Tales for Everyday Life.” We will let
you know when it becomes available. We will now jump into a series entitled, “Called
Beyond Credentials,” which will delve into some familiar and maybe not so
familiar things about the ordinary people of the Bible. Thank you for all
of the encouraging comments and responses!
Noah
Called Beyond Credentials
Genesis
5:29
And he called his name Noah,
saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our
hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.”
It would seem that God puts high priority on
our names. Take Noah for instance. Even the little children are familiar
with his name. To them and most adults, he’s the man who built that
big old boat called the ark. And during a time when God sent rains upon
the earth for 40 days and 40 nights, Noah and his family and a pair of all the
animals were safe and secure while all other creatures took their place at the
bottom of the ocean. This Noah was guilty of obeying while the others
were too busy debating!
But what I find most interesting is
Noah’s father’s words concerning his name and what he should be
called long before the act of the ark came along. He named him Noah in
direct correlation to what I believe was his earnest heartfelt prayer.
The ground was hard and work to bring forth bread was tiresome. So, when
Noah was born, in good faith before God, Mr. Lamech named his son “Noah,”
meaning “comfort.” I’m sure Noah’s father
wasn’t privy to what God’s future plans would be concerning the
earth. Therefore, this child whom he believed would be a constant
reminder of his desire to be comforted would indeed be a comfort to the Creator
Himself. For when God searched the earth for a righteous man to
preserve his creation, he found Noah. I don’t believe it was God’s
ultimate intent to destroy the earth and all its inhabitants. He’s
no schizophrenic. But because of love and His motivation for all
He’d made, there was an element of human choice. And at that moment
in time, much like today, the created cared very little about the desires and
destiny of the Creator. Everywhere God looked, He found cesspools of
selfishness. And just before He crossed the point of no return...utter
destruction, he saw Noah, i.e. “Comfort.”
Maybe it wasn’t just like that, but I
don’t think I am too far off. Noah was born at just the right
time. And because he was fully human, I am all but certain he
didn’t have a clue. It is even possible that he struggled with
feelings of inadequacy; the Bible tells us he was really, really old before his
children came along..500! For me this is so important, because there are
days I feel fearfully forgotten. But the truth is even when life seems to
be spiraling far beyond the grasp of my control, God knows my name.
And He will see to it that He calls me when He needs to draw from what He made
me to be. May we all take note of “Noah” and trust our
Marvelous Father and Creator!
Lorenzo
Biblical Meditation: Psalms139:13-16 For you
created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I
praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are
wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I
was made in the secret place.