Is my faith like Noah’s faith?

 

Local news today brings up an incident that illustrates the times we live in. A woman who worked in the education realm posted on social media a photo that illustrated how children are being brainwashed today just as they were in Europe by the Nazi’s. She lost her job over it and now is being threatened that she cannot apply for that job again. This incident shouts that It is okay for those who are being accused of brainwashing to speak out against Christian principles, but not okay that Christians speak out against any activities, particularly those that go against moral or godly principles.

I wonder what it was like for Noah. He worked on the ark for more than one hundred years. His neighbors no doubt made fun of him, yet his actions spoke against them in condemnation for the sin in their lives.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

MacArthur speaks to me with, “Your actions and words should rebuke our godless society.” When I think of the woman fighting for the right of free speech, I know that the cost of rebuking can be high indeed. However, we are living in a time much like Noah did. Is God asking His people to step up and be heard? Is He asking me?

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

Noah’s world was a mess. Before moving in judgment against the most evil and corrupt society in history, God appointed him to build an ark. This has become a symbol of life and salvation to all who believe God. For those who disbelieve, it represents impending death and judgment. In itself, the ark was not the only rebuke to the godless in that time; concurrent with constructing the ark, Noah preached about coming judgment:

God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly . . .  making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly. (2 Peter 2:5–6)

As MacArthur says, every board he cut and every nail he drove in was an illustration of the urgency of his message. God’s warning was stern, even horrifying, but His patience and mercy prevailed for 120 years. As Peter said, “Because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.” (1 Peter 3:20) In other words, the people had ample warning of judgment, but they chose to disregard Noah’s message.

This is sad, yet many today have the same attitude. Jesus said:

For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37–39)

Like Noah, I am to proclaim righteousness to an evil and perverse generation by my works and by my life and be faithful to do so even if people don’t want to listen. Most don’t listen, and I will not have 120 years like Noah did. My hope is that God will raise up many to enter the ark of atonement and speak up — that God’s purposes will be accomplished before Jesus returns and before that final judgment begins.

PRAY: Lord, You know that even those close to me sometimes scoff at God’s judgment and mock my testimony. It is easy to find fault with Your people as we are sinners too . . . but with a difference. Your atoning work gives us forgiveness and hope. We know that we have eternal life and that You are at work to change us into Your image. Help us to not be discouraged and to focus on those who need our prayers. May I be available as Your mouthpiece whenever You ask me to speak out against sin and also share the good news that all are welcome and invited to enter the ark of atonement — and be saved from Your judgment to come.

PONDER: Read 2 Peter 3 noting how the prospect of future judgment should affect me and my growth as a believer in Jesus Christ.

 

 

United by the Ark

By an unusual set of circumstances, I was introduced to a young Christian by email. He and his wife moved the same time as our daughter and her hubby to the same area. We decided to meet with this couple for a meal yesterday. It was as if we have known them forever. This is the grace of God. When He brings people into His family, we become just that — family.

This morning’s devotional gives a reminder of how that works. It is found in the story of Noah. This man’s life is summed up in the NT:

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

MacArthur goes on to explain that the ark is a picture of salvation by grace through faith. In the text describing its construction, an unusual word is used:

Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. (Genesis 6:14)

The Hebrew word for pitch is from the same root as the word for atonement or a covering, which is what Jesus does to our sin. However, this word is also translated as a protected village, which is what God does for His people. Pitch kept the waters of judgment from entering the ark, just as Christ’s atoning blood keeps judgment from the repentant sinner. Pitch, or the word for it, also surrounds and protects God’s family, speaking of our protection and hinting at our unity, just like the people in the ark were protected from judgment, together in that protected place, emphasis on together. Shared atonement gives a sense of oneness even among people of different cultures, backgrounds, education, and often varied views of many things. This “pitch” not only suggests the presence of oil in the middle east, but it speaks of the covering and uniting power of God’s grace!

Noah’s task was enormous. Some say this ark was bigger than a football field and more than four stories high. It had more than enough room for the animals and people in it. Engineers say its structure was incredibly stable . . .  just like the structure of salvation. This is why it illustrates what God has done in Christ.  

Even at that, only eight people entered it. There was room for more and God would have welcomed them because “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient . . .  not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) He also says: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37) but “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)

The story says that Noah “was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. He walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9) That does not mean he was sinless and some of that showed up after the flood, but like every true believer, he was justified by God’s grace, his faith being counted as righteousness. That has always been the basis of salvation.

And (Abram) believed the Lord, and (God) counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, (Romans 4:5)

And that faith produces a unity between people who are otherwise strangers, a blessed sense of being “in the same village” even with our many differences. Atonement, like the ark, is our covering and protection. Because of God’s grace we are saved and given the mind of Christ so when we get together we are aware of belonging together in His ‘walled city’ of unity and fellowship.

PRAY: Jesus, I see Your hand in all things, in our dinner last night with people we’d never met, in our mutual edification as brothers and sisters in You, in the saving grace and life of Noah and his family, in the power that still saves people though the atonement that is ours in You. What a lovely wonder You are, a gift from the Father that never stops giving.

PONDER: Romans 4:1–8 is the gospel but it also explains why the members of God’s family have a unity that goes beyond common interests and mutual agreement. According to this passage, what gives us the status of being covered and living together in a walled city?