But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD

Genesis 6:8

There are so many lessons that can be learned by reading the account of Noah, but the one I want to talk about for a short time today is how he put first things first. When we read Genesis chapter six, we find that the world had gotten so wicked that it actually grieved God that He had made them. In the fifth verse of this chapter we read that every inclination of the thoughts of men was only evil all the time. But, as the passage above shows, Noah found favor in the eyes of God.

I have always been impressed with the physical work that Noah accomplished in the building of the ark. It was longer than a football field and about the same height as a ten story building. Yet Noah was able to build it. Furthermore, Noah built it to God's specifications. The reason was two-fold: First, and foremost, it was what God had commanded. But the second reason was also of critical importance to Noah, for the ark would save not only himself but his wife and children as well.

Since the flood was going to come, the work had to be done in time. I'm sure that Noah must have felt the urgency of getting this immense project completed in time for it to do any good. As was mentioned before, the work also had to be done in precisely the right way. And we know that Noah did so because we are told that he completed the work "just as the LORD commanded". 

We see that Noah was successful in what would become one of the greatest and most famous physical achievements in recorded history. Yet this was still not the most important factor, for God would have never chosen Noah had he not found favor in the eyes of the Lord. In other words, Noah had to be spiritually right before he could have the opportunity to do things physically right.

And there is a great lesson for men and women of all eras. It is true that we will have many physical responsibilities as we live out our lives. Some of these physical works will be absolutely vital to our health and well being, and it is even possible for some of our physical works to be important enough to be considered great accomplishments by our fellow man. But, like Noah, it is important to put first things first! 

Does anyone think that God would have chosen Noah for this great physical task had he not been a righteous man prior to the work? I don't think there is any question that the reason Noah was chosen (and even permitted to to the work in the first place) was because he was a righteous man. We are also told in the New Testament book of Hebrews that Noah was a man of faith. The only conclusion we can make is that God chose Noah based on his righteousness and faith.

And that is the lesson we need to learn. Prior to doing any of the physical things that are required of the Lord's servants while we are here on earth, we have to make sure that our spiritual houses are in order. In short, we have to put first things first. One other point should probably be made before we stop - had Noah not found favor in the eyes of God, it wouldn't have been just him that suffered. He had a wife and a family who were counting on him as well.

Are you putting first things first?