Noah built the ark “by faith” (Hebrews 11:7). Since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17), acting by faith means doing as God instructs. “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:22).
Walking by faith today is submitting to God’s will as revealed in the New Testament. The command to build an ark doesn’t apply to us, nor was Noah expected to be baptized or observe the Lord’s Supper, though we certainly are. Walking by faith, however, is a timeless principle.
God told Noah, “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood” (Genesis 6:14). “Gopher” doesn’t pertain to rodents that ruin your lawn but to a tree, probably in the cypress family. Noah couldn’t build an ark of cedar while walking by faith. He might have thought that cedar was just as good; he might have liked cedar’s smell; but God said gopherwood.
God didn’t specify how to cut down the trees or join the planks together. He left such matters to Noah’s judgment. His specific words, however, were to be followed without alteration of any kind.
God has instructed us in the New Testament to be immersed (Acts 2:38). If we walk by faith, we can’t substitute sprinkling or pouring. But should we be immersed in a river or an ocean, a lake or a bathtub? God’s word doesn’t specify; thus, we may use whatever fulfills the command.
His word tells us to sing and make melody with our hearts (Ephesians 5:19). If we walk by faith, we can’t substitute making melody with musical instruments. Should we sing in unison or in harmony, by memory or utilizing song books? God’s word doesn’t specify; all of these fulfill the command to sing.
These principles aren’t difficult; we use them daily. You tell your son to go to the grocery store and buy a dozen eggs. He might walk to the store or ride his bicycle. He might go to Hyvee or Schnucks. But he must go to the grocery store, not the hardware store; and he must buy a dozen eggs, not a dozen candy bars!
May God help us all to walk by faith!
