The supreme end of the life of faith is the possession of God Himself. To be in perfect, complete, restful union with God through Christ is so much greater in value than anything else in the universe that comparison is foolish and, in fact, idolatrous.

The Potter's Nature is such that if we are willing to settle for His gifts instead of Himself He allows us to do so (although sometimes He deals severely with us in order to turn our attention to Himself). This is one reason why we are counseled to guard our heart diligently.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

Notice in the above verse the roles that God's personal intervention and direction, obedience to God, and the fear of God, all play in scriptural faith. Faith is our obedient response to God's Word as it comes to us, both in the Scriptures and also in personal Divine guidance as God intervenes in our life.

The fear of God is a wholesome attitude. The fear of the Lord is much more than reverence. It is the proper response of the creature to the Creator. God has the power to bring us into everlasting joy or to cast us into eternal torment.

God warned Noah that the destruction of all flesh was at hand. Such a warning was not an occasion for reverence but for fear.

The Christian teachers of today speak of reverence rather than fear. They are willing to revere God as they would a great man, but to fear God requires humility. The spirit and doctrine of humanism has fostered in mankind an arrogance toward God. This is most unwise and unrealistic. God is God, and all the proud boasting of men produces no change in God or in His power to do as He will.

Noah was moved with fear, not with reverence, as he contemplated the impending destruction of the peoples of the earth. He was afraid for his family and himself. Noah feared God.

People can stand in reverential awe before a national monument. While doing so they may carelessly throw sandwich wrappers on the lawn. If they knew fire would flash from the monument and consume anyone who threw paper on the grass they would be careful not to do so. Fear will accomplish what respect, reverence, good intentions, and awe will never produce.

We have lost faith in God and therefore we talk about reverence and love for God rather than the fear of God. But the God of the Old Testament, of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, has not changed.

The righteous fear God. This is one of the principal reasons why they walk in faith, behaving in a godly manner.

Noah "became heir of the righteousness that is by faith." Noah was justified by faith. But God commented on his righteousness, not on his faith.

And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (Genesis 7:1)

To be continued.