When we look for examples of men of courage in the Bible, we come across Noah. A simple man who made a difference in his time and who despite the adverse circumstances he faced, did not stop doing God's will. Let's see what are the five W's of this man for which he is considered a man of valor:
1. Who was he?
The Bible says in Genesis 5:28-29 (NKJV), that “Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and had a son. And he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.” God had a plan with Noah from the beginning. Noah would be born with purpose.
2. What did he do?
When we study the meaning of courageous, we find that it refers to not being deterred by pain or danger; brave. Noah serves us as an example; for his obedience was such, that the author of the book of Hebrews writes of him in Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV), saying,
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Genesis 6:9-10 (NKJV) says that “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”
3. When?
At a time when "the earth was corrupted before God, and the earth was full of violence," the Bible tells us, "And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way on earth. Therefore God said to Noah, I have decided the end of all being, for the earth is full of violence because of them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth."
4. Where?
In a land full of corruption and evil. According to Genesis 6:5-7 (NKJV):
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
5. Why?
He was considered a role model because his faith pierced thru all the obstacles he faced, in his determination to fulfill the purpose for which God had called him. Noah obeyed God's command, built the ark, proclaimed God's message to that corrupt mankind, and when the flood came, he entered the ark, as God had commanded. At the end of the flood, he raised an altar to God and worshipped.
We thank God for all those men of courage of these times who do not stop, no matter the circumstances around them, but continue to proclaim the message of salvation to a lost humanity.
We pray that God will continue to raise up many more with a courageous spirit like Noah's, that they will not give in to the pressures of the world. May God continue to bless those men determined to make a difference in these times. Amen.
Song:
Build a Boat, Colton Dixon