The Work of Faithfulness

Prayer, fulfillment of mitzvot (commandments), and Torah learning are several ways of building and enforcing "faithfulness" (emuna) in Hashem. We are taught that building faithfulness is not a one-time action. Working on one's faithfulness is a constant and regular necessity.

Noah heard from Hashem directly that a flood would occur to destroy the corruption of the world. Noah was then instructed by Hashem to build an ark that would be a safe-haven from the flood. Noah listened to Hashem and built the ark. 

We are taught, however, that even through all of this, Noah had trouble in his faithfulness. The Torah testifies about Noah that when he was told by Hashem to enter the ark he did not end up entering due to Hashem's instruction but rather only because the rain waters of the flood had started to gather.

"Noah . . . went into the ark because of the waters of the flood." Genesis 7:7