Comfort Through The Flood Series

D. Someone has said, Happy is the one who walks so close to God that he leaves no room for the devil. --(29) 132.85 Perhaps here it would not hurt to make our prayer the words of that old Negro spiritual Just A Closer Walk With Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee;

Grant it Jesus, if you please.

Daily walking close with Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, Let it be.

I am weak but Thou art strong.

Jesus keeps me from all wrong.

I’ll be satisfied as long,

As I walk, let me walk, close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares,

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Hymn 398, PRAISE!

II. PEOPLE ARE A COMFORT WHO DO WHAT THE LORD SAYS.

A. Noah did what God said (Gen 6:22). This included going obediently into the ark (Gen 7:6).

B. Hebrews records that Noah was moved with faith (Heb 11:6-7). Faith accepts God at His word and acts on that acceptance. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Noah’s faith was not dead (James 2:14-26). It lived, as is seen in actions like his response to God’s warning, his being moved with fear, his preparing of the ark, and his efforts to save his household from the world’s condemnation. Note that Noah inherited his righteousness by FAITH.

C. During NATO maneuvers in September 1988, a Dutch soldier, guarding a bridge, was left behind by his unit. He stayed at his post for five days, refusing to leave his post until ordered to do so. Sympathetic local villagers brought food and drink to the nineteen- year-old soldier, Johann Romers. They were impressed with his commitment to duty. He did what his superiors said (p. 30, 100.15). Noah prepared the ark for 120 years and stood against the ridicule. He did what his superior said. Today our righteousness is tested with the MTV (i.e., moral trash and vernacular) mentality. Rap lyrics encourage immorality and Hollywood continues to degenerate. We need the comfort of people who do what God says, people who stay at their post like Noah.

III. EVEN COMFORTING PEOPLE HAVE BLEMISHES (Noah got drunk, Gen 9:24).

A. Josephus comments on the glaring impropriety that makes us question the idea that Noah would be considered more righteous than Daniel.

Noah, when, after the deluge, the earth was resettled in its former

condition, set about its cultivation; and when he had planted it with

vines, and when the fruit was ripe , and he had gathered the grapes,

in their season, and the wine was ready for use, he offered sacrifice,

and feasted, and, being drunk, he fell asleep, and lay naked in an

unseemly manner. When his youngest son saw this, he came laughing,

and shewed him to his brethren; but they covered their father’s naked-

ness. ANTIQUITIES , chap VI, sec 3 (p. 31, #6-8)

B. Though Noah’s drunkenness cannot be excused, it must be observed that this is really the only discernible vice we find in the patriarch. It is very possible that Noah discovered the process of fermentation and only got drunk by accident. Perhaps it was a new revelation of the influences of the fall. Unger points out that beyond the records of this birth the scriptures tell us nothing of Noah till he was five hundred years old (p. 797, 220.3/Un). Though everything was not recorded about him and he likely had more faults, we must never forget God’s estimation of him. Noah was a man made righteous by faith. No one else in the whole world of his day was of equal character. It is just like imperfect man to desire perfection from every hero when the common knowledge is that this is impossible. Noah was wrong in getting drunk but he was still a comfort.