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Noah Stood Like a Rock, November 4
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved
him at his heart.... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Genesis
6:6-8
.
The world was arrayed against God’s justice and His laws, and Noah was
regarded as fanatic. Satan, when tempting Eve to disobey God, said to her, “Ye
shall not surely die.” Great men, worldly, honored, and wise men, repeated the
same story, “Ye shall not surely die.” “The threatenings of God,” they said, “are for
the purpose of intimidating, and will never be verified. You need not be alarmed.
Such an event as the destruction of the world by the God who made it, and the
punishment of the beings He has created, will never take place.” ... So the people
did not humble their hearts before God, but continued their disobedience and
wickedness, the same as though God had not spoken to them through His servant.
But Noah stood like a rock amid the tempest. He was surrounded by every
species of wickedness and moral corruption; but amid popular contempt and
ridicule, amid universal wickedness and disobedience, he distinguished himself
by His holy integrity and unwavering faithfulness. While the world around him
were disregarding God, and were indulging in all manner of extravagant dissi-
pation which led to violence and crimes of every kind, the faithful preacher of
righteousness declared to that generation that a flood of water was to deluge the
world because of the unsurpassed wickedness of its inhabitants. He warned them
to repent and believe, and find refuge in the ark.
The message of Noah was to him a reality. Amid the scoffs and jeers of the
world, he was an unbending witness for God. His meekness and righteousness
were in bright contrast to the revolting crimes, intrigue, and violence continually
practiced around him. A power attended his words; for it was the voice of God to
man through His servant. Connection with God made him strong in the strength of
infinite power, while for one hundred and twenty years his solemn warning voice
fell upon the ears of the men of that generation in regard to events, which, so far
as human wisdom could judge, seemed impossible. Some were deeply convicted,
and would have heeded the words of warning; but there were so many to jest
and ridicule that they partook of the same spirit, resisted the invitations of mercy,
refused to reform, and were soon among the boldest and most defiant scoffers; for
none are so reckless, and go to such lengths in sin, as those who have once had
light, but have resisted the convicting Spirit of God.... How simple and childlike,
amid the unbelief of a scoffing world, was the faith of Noah.... He gave to the
world an example of believing just what God said.—
The Signs of the Times, April
1, 1886
.
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