"Noah was a righteous man [one who was just and had right standing with God], blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked (lived) [in habitual fellowship] with God." (Genesis 6:9 AMP)
Decades ago, my best friend and I spent hours on the phone together every day. We were both stay-at-home moms in separate states and our kiddos were too young to hold full conversations. We bought bluetooth headsets and unlimited long distance plans so we could change diapers, mop floors and make dinners together. Over the years, our friendship deepened to a point that no topic was off limits: faith, money, husbands, ministry, parenting, hopes and disappointments. We have discussed it all and it’s safe to say, we grew considerably as result of those tough conversations.
Seasons change and neither of us have free hours to spend on the phone anymore. But the relationship we nurtured over decades of intimate conversation has continued to support us as we are sending kids off to college and adjusting to new adventures. We still text pictures when we make a new purchase; shoes are always run by the bestie! 🙂 My daughter laughs at us about it, but I pray she finds a soul sister like my Lori-lady.
Today, reading about Noah, I see that he had a friendship with God like Lori and I have forged with each other. Noah walked in ‘habitual fellowship’ with God. It may have began with an emergency call to the Creator while he worked and parented and payed bills, but he kept calling. It seems to me like he did dishes and laundry with his friend for decades, too, maybe even centuries. Noah’s habitual connection with God wound up insulating him from the evil culture he lived in. Furthermore, it afforded his family an escape plan from destruction.
Look around, my friend. We are living in the days of Noah all over again. Every inclination is evil and we, also, require constant connectivity to keep the culture out of our heats. If there was ever a time to habitually walk with God, this is it. Prayer is how we put on heavenly headset. Put no topic off limits and let’s learn to walk with Him.
"So Noah did this; according to all that God commanded him, that is what he did." (Genesis 6:22 NASB)
Dear Lord, we love You. Please help us to learn to walk habitually in Your presence. Give us the stamina to stay in the conversation, even when the subject matter proves difficult. Bind our wandering hearts to You as the culture around us continues to disintegrate. Insulate us from evil and make a way of salvation through our obedience. Amen.