Reading Plan:
Genesis 8:20-22, 9:1-17
Faithfulness Continued
Author: Holden Hunt
Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you – the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground – so they can multiply on the Earth and be fruitful and increase in number.” Genesis 8:15
Hey, it’s me, Holden, again! In case you weren’t able to catch the devotional two days ago, I’ll reintroduce myself. I’m on staff at Venture Church as the Jones County Campus Music Director, and I also work with all of our NextGen ministries. Not that this is entirely relevant right now, but I am currently single, and I want you to know that if you’re reading this and you’re not married or you don’t have kids, what we’re talking about today is relevant to you as well. So, stick around!
If you remember the Daily Devo from two days ago, we talked a lot about faithfulness, what it is, what it looks like, and how Noah was an example of someone in the Bible who “walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). Today, we’re going to continue our conversation on faithfulness, but we’re going to spend more time on how our faithfulness impacts those around us.
I didn’t notice this the first time I read chapters 6-9 of the book of Genesis, but as I was reading the scriptures allotted for us to read today, I noticed how Noah’s faithfulness affected those closest to him. More specifically, his family. As I was reading our scriptures for today, I didn’t see much information in there about Noah’s three sons. I didn’t see that God commanded Noah to bring his son’s and their wives onto the Ark with him because they were good and faithful servants of the Lord. I didn’t see that they were men and women who also “walked faithfully with God” and honestly, I didn’t see much in there about them at all other than their names and that they were Noah’s family. Now, I’m not saying that they weren’t all of those things or that they didn’t do all those things, but it’s not mentioned. What is mentioned however is Noah’s faithfulness, and because Noah was a man who “walked faithfully with God,” his entire family was spared from the flood. Have you ever thought about that? I know I didn’t until today, and this is where I want to land: Our faithfulness in following Jesus doesn’t stop with us.
If you’re reading this and you’re a follower of Jesus, have you ever stopped to wonder just how much the faithfulness of others has impacted your life? Have you ever thought about how one person sharing the Gospel and the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of God with you has changed everything about you and your life? And not only that, but as you are being faithful and walking faithfully with God now, that person’s faithfulness is expanding exponentially as you are being faithful with your opportunities to love others, care about others, share the Gospel, and serve others the same way that Jesus and the faithful people in your life have loved, cared, served, and shared with you. It’s crazy, right?
But this is the nature of faithfulness. It is an ever-growing, ever-increasing cycle that continues way beyond what you will see or even comprehend. I once heard Jonathan Pokluda say, “If you want the greatest return on your investment, invest in people,” and I think that’s true. This is what our faithfulness as followers of Jesus does for those around us and those to come.
Noah’s faithfulness not only affected his family and spared them from the flood, but it also affected every family that ever would come after them. Jesus’ faithfulness through His sinless life, undeserving death on the cross, and resurrection from the grave literally changed everything about my life and my eternity, and that’s true for countless others who are following Jesus. You—being a follower of Jesus who walks faithfully with God and remains faithful with the opportunities and people who are close to you right now—have the same opportunity to impact your friends and family and their relationships with Jesus for countless generations to come.
Reflection & Response
- Who shared the Gospel with you? Take a second to thank God for that person’s faithfulness and boldness. Think about how different you are and your life is because of that one person’s faithfulness. For me, this was my mom. Reach out to them and thank them for doing that if you have access to them.
- How else has God been faithful in your life? Take some time to remind yourself of just how faithful God has been throughout your life. Write it down or say it out loud. Thank God for His faithfulness to you. For example, one thing that always reminds me of God’s faithfulness is His presence with me in every season of my life.
- Challenge: In what way do you think God is wanting you to increase your faithfulness to Him or those in your life today? Is it an opportunity? Your job? A friend? Your money? Your time? Your family? Your use of technology?
- Challenge: Once you believe you know this, write it down, and share it with someone who can encourage you and hold you accountable. Share it with your House Church pastor, someone else in your House Church or a trusted friend who you know is following Jesus with you.
- Challenge: And if you need help finding that or need someone to talk to about any of this, contact your House Church Pastor or email us at hello@venturechurch.org to talk about your next steps. We’d love to help in any way that we can.
Have kids?
Use the content below to dive deeper into the Bible Reading Plan with your family.
Family Application: It isn’t about us.
- One of the most challenging things our culture says is that everything is about one person: ME. In today’s reading, we can see how Noah’s life and story were not just about him. Noah’s faithfulness impacted so many people, especially his family. Just because of Noah’s faithfulness to God, his family was able to go on the ark with Noah.
- What is one way that you can begin to remind yourself that everything is not about you?
- Who is one person you can serve this week so that they can be encouraged?