Wes Thomas: Obedience to God earns favor and peace

While reading in Genesis on July 4, my attention was heavily focused on Noah. Right after the scripture says that God was sorry for creating mankind due to their ever growing and consuming evil, it says: “… But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Scripture continues with instructions on what and how to build the vessel that would spare the lives of Noah and his family during the great flood. Then verse 22 of chapter 6 reads:

“Thus Noah did … according to all that God commanded him — so he did.”

On the day of celebration of our nation’s freedom, I decided to start the journey of reading the Bible from cover to cover. I have completed this one time before, but one time is not enough. Abraham Lincoln did this annually. I thanked God on the morning of the fourth for our national freedom and liberties and then prayed for personal freedom — freedom from sin and sickness and worry.

After prayer, i began reading Genesis and, as stated earlier, became fixed on the story of Noah.

He found grace in the eyes of the Lord. When God was upset with creation, he still looked upon Noah with favor. I hope daily, God looks upon me and sees enough to give me his grace and favor. I know due to salvation’s power and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, God looks at me and sees his son.

However, my concern is — does he see a man humble, righteous and trying or does he see an arrogant man squandering the opportunity to make a difference in this world?

If God were about to start over again based on the world’s current evil, would he see enough in me to spare my life? Ask yourself these questions.

Then verse 22 jumped off the page and hit me between the eyes — he did “all” that was commanded of him. Emphasis on the word all. How many of us do all? I think it is fair to say that I personally, do some. God put it on my heart to tell anyone that will listen that freedom and safety in the Lord come when you obey all that God instructs.

Moving into the second half of 2024, do so with an obedience to God that brings true freedom and peace. God bless.