I remember having so many questions when I was a young man. Today I find myself father to three young men that are full of questions as well. Important questions, life changing questions, questions that they need an answer to. In the span of their lives from the age of 18-25 years old, they will make the most important decisions ever other than their choice to follow Christ. If only God gave some exact details for their future. Who should I marry Lord? What career path to take Lord? What education to acquire Lord? They can search the scriptures and find that they need to trust and follow God. Put Christ first and He will direct their paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
This passage is just one of many that can be found instructing us to faithfully follow and trust God. But, a young man needs answers. Real answers, black and white answers. Right?
I think of the call Abram (Abraham) received from God in Genesis 12. How many details did he receive from God? God says “Get out of your country, from your family, to a land that I will show you”. That’s it God? No more details? Just ” Get out and go?” Not very specific huh?
I like the call upon Noah’s life much better. In Genesis 6 we find that God gave great details for the building of the ark; what wood to use, the number of rooms, the height and length of the ark, how many animals of each to bring with him. All the details needed to follow Gods plan for Noah’s life were provided.
So I guess I need to ask this. Did Abram exhibit and practice more faith than Noah? Did the lack of details provided require Abram to trust in God more? Was Noah able to just coast through life and enjoy God and His goodness since Gods plan was already revealed? You know the answer is “no” to these questions.
We find in the scriptures that both men “walked” with God. Both men lived a life consisting of a constant relationship with God. They were both faithful and sought the Lord daily. They both made it into the “Faith Hall of Fame”. In Hebrews 11:7 it says,”By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household….”. and again in verse 8 we find “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going”. Both men are found to be full of faith, looking to God for continual guidance.
A continuous love relationship with Christ is essential in making decisions. Only then can we take the prompting of the Holy Spirit and make wise decisions with confidence. Knowing Gods word and His love towards us will allow us to walk through life without fear.
1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Thoughts For New Life 