Ark of Faith

Have you ever noticed when you’re in your yard working on a

project, your neighbors are watching? Sometimes they try to be discreet

and other times bold by coming over with many questions and

suggestions for you. Now if you're blessed you might have neighbors

that are your friends and offer to help you.

Imagine being told to build an ark that was to be 450 feet long, 75

feet wide, and 45 feet high. To make a roof and finish the ark to within

18 inches of the top and put a door in the side of it. To build lower,

middle, and upper decks, and then on top of that you are to take two of

every clean-living animal, and seven of every unclean animal. To finally

take your family and live in it for at least 40 days and nights because the

earth will be destroyed by a flood. The final shock is that your over 500

years old when you're to start this! This is what happened to a man in

the Bible named Noah. Noah had many 'nosey' neighbors who didn't

look from afar, and I'm sure were bold in letting him know they

thought he was crazy.

We know Noah completed this task when he was 600 years old

and then the floodwaters came upon the earth just as it was told to him.

Noah, I'm sure felt grieved for his neighbors that had to perish, but do

you think for a second, he was thankful to see the rain- just to know he

did indeed hear God correctly?

I picture Noah and his family being aboard this large, noisy, stinky

smelling ark, and wondering what will happen and yet also in

amazement as they heard the floodwaters rise. They were undoubtedly

all thankful at that moment they had listened to their father and their

God. Doing something for 100 years and not seeing the reason had to

have been taxing on the whole family. Noah loved God and was willing

to be laughed at, mocked, and even talked about, and was certainly

willing to do whatever God said to do. His faith was incredible, and

God knew that- that is why He was chosen. God gave Noah a huge

building project- one that stretched his imagination and yet he obeyed,

and his faith and obedience to God saved him and his family. So, was it

worth all the blisters, aching muscles, and ridicule he endured? Yes!!

God is not asking us to build an ark, yet even the smallest things

seem to be too tough for us to handle at times. We're too comfortable and cozy and don't want to be interrupted and have a hard time believing and trusting in God. I'm sure Noah also had days and nights where he was exhausted and tired from it all and yet he never gave up!! What a man of faith, courage, dedication, strength, and perseverance.

God is also asking each of us to "build" something in faith for his

Kingdom. Will you have the faith to start, finish, and believe God for it

no matter how crazy it sounds?

From Ark of Faith by Gina Burns