Best Thing Afloat

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, NASB95)

Have you seen this week’s cover of Newsweek? In the shape of a cross the text reads, “The Decline and Fall of Christian America.” Is it any accident that this is published the week after Easter? It’s a chilling reminder of the reckless abandonment with which our nation is leaving its Judeo-Christian roots.

Was there any other time in history where people were turning away from God in such record numbers? Yes, it was the same in the days of Noah. The Bible says that every thought of man was only evil continually. The world was given over to violence and sexual perversion. God warned one man that destruction was imminent. So, while everyone else was partying, Noah and his sons were cutting down trees. For 120 years he built the ark for the salvation of his household. Peter tells us that he was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet 2:5). Yet in all that time of building and preaching, he didn’t win one convert. Still he persevered in his task. By his faith-in-action he saved his household and condemned the world…one piece of gopher wood at a time.

What does this speak to us today? Number one, if you’re following the crowd you’d better take warning. The crowd doesn’t have a very good track record. Number two, when people abandon faith and righteousness: that is the time to take a stand. You won’t be liked. The world never likes non-conformists. (Remember junior high school?) You may not even be particularly successful at gathering others to join your cause. Noah wasn’t. But can you be faithful in building an ark of protection and salvation for you and your family?

You may feel like the lonely outcast right now. It’s not popular or easy to be obedient when everyone else wants to party. But you are building an ark of refuge. When the rains come down it will be the best thing afloat. That is if you don’t quit!