13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.
After a recent visit to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, I began to think more about the time when Noah was instructed by God to build and subsequently started building the ark. It seems to me that people around him probably thought he was crazy for building this massive ship on dry ground, and possibly not even near the coast. Notice also in Genesis 6 that God gave Noah very specific instructions on how to build the ship.
Think for a moment now about God’s power. God could’ve saved Noah, his family, and the animals that went on the ark through other means that wouldn’t really require any work or obedience from Noah – but God didn’t. He chose this way – and I’m sure it was perfect – evidenced in part by the reality that this story in the bible is certainly one of the better known stories, and many people have learned from it and God has received much glory through it.
Has God given you instructions in your life that seemed incomprehensible at the time but you decided to be obedient and do what God was asking? How did that turn out?
If you’ve never had a moment like this in your life, be sure that you are prepared for it. Be sure to also test that it is from God. If you determine that your instructions are from God, I encourage you to be faithful and obedient.
By: Marcus Steury
