How were they to believe something they had never seen nor experienced for themselves? And let’s face it, they probably thought he was crazy. Noah, the original creator of the cruise ship, tried to warn the people of his time but they chose not to listen. Could you imagine being told it was going to rain and the earth would flood though you had never experienced rain for yourself? Oh yeah, and to avoid dying you need to hop on a huge ship full of smelly animals. Do you think you would have believed? I would like to think I would have been smart enough to listen but I question if I would have thought he was a little crazy too. By that point in history the world was so wrapped up in pleasing their flesh they didn’t care about much else. Sounds a little like what we’re experiencing now, don’t you think? I firmly believe God sends along periodic wake up calls to His people. Sadly, many times, we fail to heed those warnings and are left to suffer the consequences.
Days ago the church received another wake-up call as the Supreme Court of the U.S. ruled in favor of recognizing the marital union of homosexual couples. Truthfully, I can’t say I’m surprised though admittedly I was mildly shocked it happened so quickly. Many in the Christian world can still be found walking around in fear, worried for the future–and rightfully so. But, all due respect, if it took this particular ruling to bring concern I question if you’ve really been paying attention to the things around you. The warning signs have been there since before my birth, [none of your business] years ago 🙂 All my life I’ve heard the old-timers say, “Get ready! He’s coming back soon!” Just because those in Noah’s time had not experienced rain doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. Just because we haven’t seen God with our own eyes doesn’t make Him a myth. Just because we have yet to experience the ‘Second Coming’ doesn’t mean it isn’t real and will not happen. The alarm is sounding and warnings are all around us. As Christians we can’t afford back down from speaking the truth—though, as I’ve stated before, it MUST be done in love. We can speak biblical truths but can’t make others believe. The ‘red flags’ are all around us as time is running out to win the lost. I’m not attempting to be a prophet of doom but the signs around us are proof things WILL get worse. Now comes the time to make a decision. Do we run for the hills or stand firm in the cause for Christ? The choice is yours but the decision must be made. The author of 2 Timothy 1:12 puts it best, “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” Though he was in jail and being tortured when this particular section was written, he made the choice to stand firm in his beliefs and what he knew God had called him to accomplish. How long will we hit the snooze button or attempt to turn a blind eye? If you pretend it’s not there long enough you’ll start to believe your own lies. Like Noah, you can show others the truth but you can’t make them get on the boat.
Be encouraged and stand firm today. Don’t grow weary in well-doing. Even when we can’t see it God is STILL working!