Text: Genesis 8:20-21 KJV
Further Reading: Genesis 9:19-23
And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
Genesis 9:20-21
MESSAGE
You can not relax after a victory – it is the time to strengthen yourself and be on the watch.
Naturally, one is expected to relax and enjoy after a victory, but this is not true for spiritual warfare in which the believer is engaged.
Satan understands the human tendency to want to relax after a major triumph, and it is at that time that he comes with the most ferocious attack.
Therefore watch and pray. When the believer is ready at all times, there will be no sudden surprises from the devil.
In 2 Samuel chapter 10, king David and Israel had gotten major victories over their enemies. In the next chapter, we saw David become relaxed in his palace when he ought to be in the war leading Israel. The enemy struck David, and he fell into adultery. It was a fatal stroke.
The truth about spiritual battles is that they are unending battles – the believer keeps fighting until he lays down his sword at Jesus’ feet.
In our text of the day, we see the tragedy of a man who fell short of the grace that had been received. Noah was saved by grace but got so relaxed that he became drunk. If Noah was a drunkard before the flood, God will not call him righteous.
This is a warning to us who are saved by God’s grace to be watchful. There is no room for complacency or self-indulgence. The enemy will come after you and if you allow him, he will sift you away from the faith.
This is a call for you and me to be sober at all times and also be vigilant. In one of our popular hymns, “Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose”, the first line reveals this truth better:
Christian, seek not yet repose;
Hear thy guardian say;
Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray.
Watchfulness is more important after we have received the victory. Here is the final warning that God would want us to pay attention to:
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Ezekiel 18:24
Beloved let us keep watching and living pleasing unto God until He calls us home.
REFLECTION
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
You cannot afford to lose your guard after a major victory, it is the best time to fortify and rebuild broken altars.
PRAYER
Father, please help me to always be alert and watchful so as not to be a victim of the enemy’s sudden attack.
