by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

Genesis 6:8–9

Noah was used by God because he walked with God.

The day was the 19th of May, 1780. The place was Hartford, Connecticut. The day has gone down in New England history as a terrible foretaste of Judgment Day. For at noon the skies turned from blue to gray and by mid-afternoon had blackened over so densely that, in that religious age, men fell on their knees and begged a final blessing before the end came. The Connecticut House of Representatives was in session. While some men fell down and others clamored for an immediate adjournment, the Speaker of the House, Colonel Davenport, came to his feet. He silenced them and said these words: “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish, therefore, that candles may be brought.”

Colonel Davenport didn’t allow the darkness to keep him from his duty as Speaker of the House. He worked on in spite of the awful conditions. The same could be said about Noah. Noah lived in a day when wrong was right and right was wrong. Men were following their own desires and had turned their backs on God. Nevertheless, Noah walked with God.

Noah didn’t allow the wickedness around him to keep him from doing what was right. Genesis 6:12 says, “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” The whole earth was corrupt, except for Noah. He stood when no one else around him did.

The greatest decision in Noah’s life wasn’t his decision to build the ark, but his decision to walk with God. God didn’t choose Noah to build the ark because he was the “least sinful”; God chose Noah because Noah had an established walk with God.

Many times we desire to be used by God but don’t see the opportunities arise. We want Him to use us to further His work or to see someone saved, but why isn’t it happening? The problem could be in our walk with God. Are we faithfully walking with God and obeying Him? Or are we struggling with the basic commands He has given us? Because he was faithful in the small tasks, God was able to give him greater tasks to accomplish.

God desires to use you to make a difference in the lives of those around you, but you must be following His commands. Are you obeying God’s basic commands? Are you faithfully walking with Him each day? Before He can use you further, you must daily walk with Him. Read His Word, spend time in prayer, faithfully attend church, and witness to those who are unsaved. Follow the pattern of Noah’s life and walk with God each day, no matter the condition of the world around you.

To learn more about Pastor Chappell's books, Sunday school curriculum, and spiritual leadership resources, please visit strivingtogether.com.

To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com or follow him on twitter.  

Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 34-36 • John 19:1-22