NOAH

A few years ago, 1 heard a man being interviewed on television. He claimed that God told him to build an ark. He said a flood was coming like the one in the days of Noah. Actually, had this man been a little more knowledgeable of his Bible, he would know that God has promised there will never be another flood like the one in Noah's day, (Gen 9:11). Although we don't need an ark, we do need more men and women with the character of Noah. Let's look at his example:

NOAH'S WALK (Gen 6:9)
"Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."
In the midst of moral darkness, Noah was radiant in righteousness. Surrounded by godless unbelievers, and no doubt a laughingstock, he refused to turn from following God. Noah was said to be perfect, upright and righteous. He found these things as he sought the grace and mercy of God. Today, we too can be a testimony by walking with God, allowing Him to be our Guide and Help. Expect ridicule and rejection however, because the more we walk with God the less we will be thought of by the world. Will you determine by God's grace to walk with Him? (Psa 89:15) "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance."

NOAH'S WORK (Gen 6:14, 22)
"Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shall thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he."
God told Noah to build an ark. A great flood was coming and the ark was to be a place of safety for him and his family. Animals were to be gathered together into the ark as well. What a strange and seemingly impossible task, especially when you consider, he did not live near a large body of water and there had never been a flood before. This ark, according to God's directions, was to be about 75 feet wide, 45 feet tall and 450 feet long. It was a massive undertaking and took Noah over 100 years to complete. Yet, he continued in spite of the obstacles and difficulty. Noah was a man of faith, moved with Godly fear (Heb 11:7) You may not be called to build an Ark, but what are you building for God today?

NOAH'S WITNESS (2 Pet 2:5)
"And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;"
Noah is called a "preacher of righteousness". He proclaimed the holy character of God. He preached by his example of obedience to God, his warning to those of his generation concerning God' s judgment and his continuation in God's will. Noah continued to preach that message until the day he and his family and all the pairs of animals were called to go into the ark when the floods came and devastated the earth. Noah's ark is still a witness to us today. It speaks of a place of safety when the wrath of God will be poured out against sin and unrighteousness. That place of safety is Jesus. We need to encourage all who will listen to come and find refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you sharing the good news of salvation in Christ? Who do you know who needs that message today?

NOAH'S WORSHIP (Gen 8:20)
"And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
After the floodwaters abated and Noah was able to come out of the ark, his first act was to build an altar to God. He offered his praise to God for deliverance. Worship is our acknowledgment of who God is and what He is doing in the world as well as in and through us. (Psa 95:6) says, "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." Today, men and women are needed who will give God first place in their life, who will acknowledge His honor and glory. God has given us all we need for safety and peace in Him. He sent His Son to die for our sins and calls us to trust in Him. Let's lift our hearts and voices in praise and worship to our gracious God.

During the infamous Boxer Rebellion, it is said that insurgents captured a mission station. They blocked all the exits except one, where they placed a cross on the ground. Students in the station were told if they trample the cross and deny Jesus they would be free to go, but if they refused they would be shot. Seven of the terribly frightened students trampled the cross and were set free. The eighth, a young girl refused. She kneeled at the cross, prayed for strength, and carefully went out the exit where she was shot. The other students, over ninety of them, seeing her example, followed her to their deaths. They were committed, Noah was committed, are we? In times of discouragement, difficulty, and even danger, may we continue in our testimony for our Lord. God bless.