Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 3:1-8; Genesis 6-7

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.... Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:8, 9b

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; 
Bind them around your neck; 
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Proverbs 3:3-6

Like Abel found favor with God because of his faith, so did Noah. Noah walked with God, therefore he lived a righteous life. Noah had reverent fear of the Lord, therefore he obeyed God and was saved. Like Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

None of us can live a righteous life on our own. It is only in trusting the Lord that we are able to follow Him.

Think of how Noah must have felt to be told by God to build a boat in the middle of a desert. Think of how he must have faced ridicule. Peter refers to Noah as a “herald of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5). Imagine the animosity he must have faced, maybe even from his own family. Don’t forget what we just read about Cain and Abel – Cain hated Abel because Abel’s deeds were righteous (1 John 3:12).

As you read through Genesis, try to remember that these are real people living real lives among real communities not much unlike our own. Yet, we have two things they didn’t have — the Holy Spirit and God’s living, written word in our hands. I pray that the life of Noah will be an example for us of living a righteous life in the midst of a very unrighteous world.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father,

I pray that we would bind steadfast love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on the tablet of our hearts. I pray that we would trust You, Lord, with all of our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways. Let us not be wise in our own eyes, but rather let us live in reverent fear of the living God, refusing to give way to cowardice and fear of man.

I pray that You will strengthen our husbands that they will walk by faith and not by sight all the days of their lives. Make my husband like Noah who walked with You, Lord, that he might be righteous and blameless. Give him strength to live for You and not for himself. Guard his heart from the fear of man.

I pray, also, for our children. Lord, our children are growing up in the midst of a very wicked generation. I pray that they will shine brightly for You, bringing You glory with their every word and deed. I pray that they will not forget what we have taught them – and that we would be faithful to teach them from their youngest age.

I pray that You would lengthen our days and the days of our children, that we might accomplish all the works that You have given us to do. Add years to our lives, not that we might spend them in wicked, vain pursuits, but that we might bring You more glory and honor and praise.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.