I was looking at a book this week that talked about the Bible as a continuous story of God from Genesis to Revelation. My attention was drawn to the story of Noah and his instructions from God.
Genesis 6:5-6:
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all the day)
And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth and He was grieved in His heart.
You all know the rest of the story. God’s plan to cleanse the earth of the evil and degradation that existed. Sadly there was only one man and his family that still followed God and was rescued from the flood. God Instructed Noah to build the ark and fill it with all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles in preparation for the rain that came and flooded the earth.
So when I look at the condition of the world today I see it as grieving God again which speaks to Jesus returning to claim his people and deal with the conditions that prevail.
I, or anyone else, will not be able to identify when that time will come, but under the current circumstances it certainly feels like it could be imminent.
So the question then arises. What are we to do? There is no ark to be built, and no gathering of animals or family members. So let’s consider what our responsibilities are under the current situation in the world. I see the clouds gathering on the horizon, wars and threats of war. Weather problems of all kinds that man cannot predict. Famine, disease, homelessness, and evil everywhere. Man’s heart has become totally self centered with only personal gain, power, wealth and notoriety, which is the goal of many.
Romans 13 -12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand.
Mark 13:9
But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. And you will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
We are in a time and place that requires our care and discipline to maintain our Christian witness. Human life has become expendable and cheap in the eyes of many. Abortion murders millions of babies every year. With no end in sight of the depravity of the human race. What man deems important is really frivolous in the mind of God and should be in the minds of Christians.
I have no way of saying what will happen to today’s Christians but I am convinced we will face persecution for our beliefs particularly in light of the influx of other religions into our country and in particular by secular groups determined to try and get us to change our Bible focused beliefs. Laws will and are being changed that could make it illegal for us to hold to our beliefs and we should not be so naïve as to think that our faith and beliefs will not be sharply challenged in the coming days.
Our Faith should be grounded in Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Romans 8: 35 & 37
Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? What tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
In spite of the problems we see in the world we are urged to hold on to our faith. We can’t build a boat “per se” but we can place our faith and trust in the one who loves us beyond anything we can imagine.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
We have not been instructed to build a boat but we have been advised to anchor our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Click on the title of the song to listen to it. it
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life? When the clouds unfold their wings of strife When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Will you anchor drift or firm remain?
Chorus We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
Finally, our task is to preach the Gospel and win the lost.
