Ya gotta love that guy Noah.

Some days on this earth are just plain hard. We seek the Lord and do our best to follow him wholeheartedly—but that doesn’t insulate us from set-backs and discouragement. Many days are exhausting. At times we wonder…is it worth it to keep pouring out my life?

Some days on this earth are just plain hard. We seek the Lord and do our best to follow him wholeheartedly—but that doesn’t insulate us from set-backs and discouragement. Many days are exhausting. At times we wonder…is it worth it… Click To Tweet

As a journalist, author, and radio host, I’ve interviewed many famous people. I thought it would be encouraging to interview a few Bible friends and ask how they persevered through tough times. I want to know what kept them going.

Let me introduce Noah and give you the back story.

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and he was grieved at heart. So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground—not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air—for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them”(Genesis 6:5-7 The Amplified Bible).

In this wicked culture, God had plans for a man named Noah.

“Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord…Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his (evil) generation; Noah walked (in habitual fellowship) with God” (verse 8-9).

“God said to Noah, I intend to make an end of all flesh, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I will destroy them and the land” (v.13).

He would accomplish that through a devastating flood, destroying every living thing. He instructed Noah to build an ark—a massive vessel to carry him, his family, and two of every living animal and creature. He gave detailed instructions and Noah went to work.

We’ll begin the interview now. You’re invited to listen in.

Q: Noah, did you wonder where that assignment came from?

A: Yeah… it was out of nowhere! I was just minding my own business…taking care of the family…enjoying constant fellowship with God. Out of the blue he starts talking about imminent destruction…rain coming…he wanted me to build an ark.

Q: Well, what did you say?

A: I said, who, me? This whole thing was overwhelming! I knew I wasn’t up to such a task. And what would people think about this incredible (meaning not credible) project? I told a few neighbors hoping to spare them the dreadful outcome. They just mocked. When I started gathering materials and actually began construction, they joked. “Old man Noah obviously suffers from dementia!” Seeing no rain and no river, they laughed hysterically, yelling, “Bon voyage!” Despite the ridicule, my sons and I kept pounding the nails, one board at a time.

Q: Did you ever grow weary?

A: Oh, yes…every single day.

Q: How did you manage to stay the course and finish the work?

A: I had a calling from God. He gave clear instructions. And he never abandoned me.

The Bible tells us: Noah did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6:22 and 7:5). He built the ark…one board at a time.

He welcomed the animals, rounded up his family, and got on board. We know the rest of the story. The rain came and flooded the earth. But Noah and his family remained safe in the ark.

Through one man’s unflinching obedience, God preserved a handful of people who would populate the earth once more. Noah persevered when life was hard.

Through one man’s unflinching obedience, God preserved a handful of people who would populate the earth once more. Noah persevered when life was hard. Click To Tweet

How did Noah do it? He just kept nailing one board at a time.

Have you grown weary in your assignment? Remember this: God called you and he will never abandon you. Just keep nailing one board at a time.

More interviews are forthcoming.

Please tell me how the Lord has encouraged you to persevere through a hard place. And I’d appreciate your sharing this with your friends.

© Dianne Barker 2020