It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. Hebrews 11:7.
Noah’s neighbors likely regarded him as an eccentric figure due to his unwavering integrity and blameless character, which set him apart in stark contrast to his neighbors. Even God Himself recognized Noah’s virtue and the extraordinary life he had built for himself and his family.
In the OT story of Noah, the world had become so evil there was nothing left to do but for God to destroy it. No doubt this was not what God wanted to do. The world God created was perfect, but mankind had destroyed God’s good work, making blameless Noah the way for God to rescue His work.
You could say that Noah lived in a circumspect and prepared way. Noah obviously noticed what the world was coming to and made the decision to avoid being drawn into the world’s way of living. When God unveiled the bleak future of mankind, Noah rose to the occasion and did what God asked him to do.
Electing to set aside the 40 days of Lent to prepare for the candidate’s coming baptism and for Easter carries the same intention and focus that Noah must have had when he rejected the ways of the world and embraced following God.
O God of Lent, may we dwell on what you have called us to. Help us, like Noah, choose the good and righteous life you designed for us. We want to be prepared for whatever life brings us. In Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen.