TIME TO BUILD AN ARK

(based on Genesis 6:5-22)

Now things were not going too great on earth. Wickedness. Evil. All sorts of bad stuff. The picture in my mind went from peaceful, lush and vibrant to dark, smelly and a very happy snake. God was not happy. I think God talked to Gabriel.

"Gabriel what happened? I planned this for good and look at what my children have become," God said with deep sadness.

With a strong voice, God declared, "I WILL GET RID OF IT ALL! EVERY PERSON. EVERY ANIMAL. EVERY BIRD. I HAVE HAD IT."

Then God saw Noah. God saw hope for mankind.

Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord but probably not in the eyes of others?

Mrs. Noah probably said, “You’re going to build what? Two of each animal?”

And I am sure he heard from his neighbors. “Noah, what are you doing? If you keep this up, the property values will go down.”

Ham, Noah’s son, was in for some teasing also. “Ham, your daddy doesn’t have both oars in the water.” And Ham would have come back with, under his breath of course, “Maybe not now, but you wait and see who floats and who doesn’t.”

Then there was the trip to the local hardware. When Noah told the owner what he wanted, the owner would have wondered if he heard the order correctly. “You want how much cypress wood? You need how much pitch? I will have to place an order for the pitch." Rubbing his hands together and, with a wicked grin, he most likely asked, "Will you be paying now or later?”

Noah heard all this as he worked and worked and worked. Noah heard the screams as the water rose.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Noah was an ordinary man getting through the day. Working, taking care of his family and trying to do the right thing. Then God asked him to do something way out of his comfort zone.

It could happen to you. You might be tempted to shout, "Lord, you want me to do what?"

Has God ever asked you to do something causing you to choose his will over family, friends or neighbors? Sometimes those closest to you do not understand or support decisions to quit smoking or drinking. Sometimes they do not understand your wanting to go to church on Sunday morning.

Have you ever taken a stand and then been laughed at or criticized? Have you ever wished you had not said something, because the pressure to change your belief is so great? Today's society wants us to be politically correct, but is society keeping you from standing up for your faith and values?

Think of the strength of character Noah needed to stand up to the looks. To the questions. To the laughing. Where did he find the courage?

Noah had courage because he trusted God. Do you trust God enough to say yes when he asks you to get out of your comfort zone?

Would you build an ark in your back yard?