Building A Lifeboat
GENESIS 7: 6 – 10 (NASB)
Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth. Then Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him entered the ark because of the water of the flood. Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that creeps on the ground, there went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. It came about after the seven days, that the water of the flood came upon the earth.
I remember in my naive youthful mind questioning the motives of my employer, why they did things the way they did and had me do what seemed to me as pointless work. But soon I saw the fruit of their plan, a clear result of previous experience. It makes me chuckle when I look back at that young man who thought he knew it all, when in fact he knew very little. Even after all these years there is still a bit of that young man still in me, particularly when I am asked by God to go somewhere or to do something for Him. But I soon see that yet again, I am wrong, and He is right!
Noah was faced with what looked like an impossible task to obey but obey God he did. He had heard God and followed His instructions to the very letter, building the ark (the biggest Lifeboat in history!) to specific detail and filled it with a myriad of creatures. If Noah didn’t doubt his God, you can guarantee his neighbors certainly did, and they thought Noah himself was as nutty as a fruitcake. Despite the insults and ridicule Noah remained faithful in following God’s directions; after the ark was full, he waited a whole week. Then the floods and rain came, his faith in God was vindicated. His neighbors stopped the insults and watched with growing concern as the waters rose.
The story of Noah and his faith is applicable today in this modern sinful world; each of God’s children serving Him faithfully are like Noah. They serve Him faithfully following His instructions, setting themselves apart in a world that mocks them as their predecessors mocked Noah. But a day will come, soon I am sure, when the wicked world will stop mocking and look Heavenward with real concern.
Dear reader, I urge you to heed and follow the faithful example of Noah. We are not facing a flood of water as he did, but a flood of evil that will sweep many away, and those who do somehow cling on desperately will call out for help from God. Listen for His instructions today and begin building your Lifeboat (home) ready for Heaven.
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
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