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I am going to put an end to all people on earth...So make yourself an ark of cypress wood...I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark - you and your wife and your sons' wives with you.
Genesis 6

When I read in Genesis 6 about Noah, the word that comes to mind over and again for me: obedience. God commanded Noah to do something that seemed unexplainable, perplexing, and illlogical.

Noah did exactly as God commanded. But, not everyone agreed with his decision. 

There have been times in my life when I have done what God commanded me to do and others didn't agree, understand, or follow.  When you choose to follow God, others may not choose to follow you. Doing the will of the Lord isn't always popular, especially when your decision is one that others do not understand or do not like. In such times, it is important to remember:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

Just because the Lord requests something of you, doesn't neccesarily mean that others will follow or agree. Had Noah caved to his critics, he and his family would have gotten really wet! Obeying God isn't always the most popular move, but it is always the smartest one.

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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.