He named him Noah [Relief], and said, ‘This child will bring us relief from the work and painful labor of our hands since the Lord has cursed the ground.’
Genesis 5:29 GW
In the story of Noah, we see a powerful example of discovering God’s purpose. Lamech, Noah’s father, recognised the need for change and spoke prophetically over his son’s life, naming him Noah, which means “relief.” This declaration shaped Noah’s destiny, teaching us the importance of discovering God’s purpose in our own lives. Whether in ancient times or today, understanding and discovering God’s purpose is key to living a life of meaning and fulfilment.
Unlike many before him, Lamech recognised the overwhelming need for relief and comfort amidst the harshness of life. This wasn’t just a hopeful statement, but a vision for the future. He believed that his son Noah would bring much-needed relief.
Meanwhile, before transformation can occur, there must be a realisation of the need for it. Lamech recognised that life was not what it should have been. He saw the pain and hardship in the world and spoke a prophetic word into his son’s life. He named him Noah, meaning “relief,” believing that his son would bring comfort and change.
Like Lamech, we must first recognise the need for change in our own lives. Often, we live as though everything is fine, even when deep down, we know things are far from what they should be. It’s easy to settle for less when we don’t acknowledge our need for transformation. But without this hunger for change, growth is impossible.
Jesus reminds us of this principle in Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Until we develop that hunger, nothing will change. Just as Lamech hungered for relief, we must thirst for righteousness and a closer relationship with God.
Noah on the other hand, was born into a destiny he did not yet understand. As a child, he had no awareness of the great purpose his father had spoken over him. Yet, to fulfil that destiny, Noah had to realise the significance of his name and the role he was to play.
The same principle applies to us. Many of us are unaware of the purpose God has set for our lives. We may live without realising that God has already spoken a great destiny over us. Like Noah, we must discover the purpose of God for our lives.
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
This passage reveals that God has already set apart each of us for a purpose before we were even born. The greatest tragedy is to live a life outside of that purpose, no matter how successful we may appear to be. He formed us with a specific plan in mind, and it’s up to us to discover and fulfil it. If we fail to seek out God’s direction, we risk living a life devoid of true meaning.
Now that we know this truth, the next step is to seek out what God wants to accomplish through us. Beyond our daily activities and pursuits, we must ask ourselves if we are truly living in alignment with God’s purpose, or if there’s more to discover about His plan for us.
In summary, the story of Noah teaches us that recognising the need for change and discovering God’s purpose for our lives is the first step to living a successful life. Success in life is not about accomplishments or status but about fulfilling God’s unique purpose for you. Remember, you have been set apart by God for a divine purpose. Now is the time to discover it and walk in it.