We went to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky with my family in the summer of 2023. The ark has been open for years now so what we encountered was not at all what I expected. I expected to pull into a parking spot and wha la there is the ark. However, when we pulled up there was a line just to get into the parking lot. There were 10,000 people there that day alone. I was astounded! Also, the ark was not to be seen from the parking lot. They had buses driving people out to the ark continuously. I instantly was floored from the moment we got close to the Ark Encounter.
As we were pulling into our parking spot my thoughts drifted to Noah and all of the years ago that he faithfully built his ark. It took him 120 years to build, and for a 120 years the people around him refused to believe that the rains were coming. His community had 120 years to change their minds about God, the way they were living and to ask for forgiveness. They witnessed Noah and his faithfulness for 120 years and they never repented. They thought he was crazy and maybe even a lunatic. Then when the rains came the communities eyes were opened to the truth, but at that point it was too late, and they perished. Everyone and everything perished except Noah’s family and the animals on the ark. All of the people who said “no” to Noah, and ultimately to God, were washed away in the rains, however, as I looked around at the 10,000 people I was struck by the thought that they are saying “yes”to entering the ark. This thought settled with me for the entirety of the day. I just thought if only Noah could see the replica of his ark and all of the people who flock to it.
Noah’s community was faced with a choice and we too are faced with a choice. Do we go on living as we are or do we turn to Jesus and find salvation through Him? Noah waited for rain. We wait for Jesus to return. Many years have passed and it may look like Jesus is never coming back. God’s mercy and patience is waiting for the world to turn to Him. But just as the rains began in an instant Jesus will return in an instant as well. Noah’s people said, “no.” Will you choose to believe what Jesus says that He will return and take His people home? He is coming. And we have been waiting years and years for His return. When He returns I hope that we will be found faithful as Noah was. I hope that we will be found building His Kingdom as Noah faithfully built the ark. I hope that we would be found telling others about God’s truths and His coming as Noah had.
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Those who believe in Him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.
LORD Jesus,
Thank you for coming to this world to save us. I have not always been found faithfully building Your Kingdom or walking in the light. There have been days where I have been unkind and only think of myself and I am sorry. I know that my actions have consequences to not only myself but to those around me. Please forgive me.
I have friends today who have not chosen to give their lives to you. My friends find themselves at the crossroads of belief and unbelief. I ask that you would take them by the hand and show them who You are and that you are real and present. Please show my friends that you offer forgiveness in your nail scarred hands. You offer love and not hate. You offer light and not darkness. You can transform us into people who love, care, are gentle and patient. Thank you for your transforming power.
As we head into our days may we be like Noah and faithfully build your kingdom and invite others to walk in. Noah was faithful for over 120 years. We do not know how long we have but may we be found faithful from this day forward.
In Your Name Jesus! Amen!
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