“ FAITH  like staying in the Ark of Noah ”

      In the Bible, “ Faith” is  defined as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ( Hebrews: 1)

     Noah was  one of the forefathers who have strong faith in God. Some said that his faith was a blind faith.   In the time of Noah, there was multiplication of the wicked.  The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth.(Genesis 5:6 )   The LORD repented that he made man and would like to wipe out the sins of man from the earth by the flood. Among them, Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9). Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Gen 6;8).

     Grace  is the gift from God. God made provision to the righteous man, Noah. The LORD said all flash on earth will be destroyed and commanded him to make the Ark with instructions such as the length of the Ark, material of wood and detail measurements.

    There was no rain on the earth before the flood.   In Genesis 2:5  it is written,          “ – -  The LORD had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work ground.”. Therefore, people in that time did not believe  a flood would come. However, Noah believed what God said to him. Therefore, some said that Noah’s faith was a blind faith because although he had never seen rain, he believed the flood would come.

     From my point of view, Noah’s faith was absolute faith. His faith was being assured in God’s word though he had never seen the rain on earth. “ Faith is being assured what we do not see.”; said in Hebrews 11:1.  Thus, Noah had absolute faith in God.

     Noah built the Ark, and when God commanded him he went into the Ark with his family, pairs of clean and unclean animals, birds and the creatures on earth.  After seven days the floodwaters came on the earth, and continued for forty days and forty nights. When the earth was overwhelmed by flood, Noah who obeyed God’s commands, and his family together with birds and living creatures were saved.

     The more increased the water on earth, the Ark  floated on the surface of the water and they all were saved in it (Gen 7:17,18).   The Ark never sank under the water though it contained many living creatures as Noah built  the Ark by the instructions from God.  Relationship with God leads not only to obtain salvation but also to obtain protection. Noah walked with God revealed he had relationship with God.

     Genesis 7:19; “The water rose greatly on earth all the mountains under the entire heavens were covered.”  The ark had already been above the mountains because  the Ark was on the surface of the water.  When people face troubles or problems beyond  our control, have faith in God like staying in the Ark of Noah. It will save you from the problems . Your physical, mental, spiritual and your life on earth will grow higher and higher by obeying His commands and having faith in God .  

“ Staying in the Ark”  does not mean nothing to do in the Ark.  Noah and his family had a responsibility to look after the creatures  whilst they were staying in the Ark.

  Genesis 7:20; “ The water rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet.”  When the flood came, the Ark was not on the mountain it was above the mountains more than twenty feet.  Having faith in God will lead a man to live above  the pick of the mountain not on it  during hardship.  On the other hand, people need patience.   After raining forty days and forty nights, the flood remained on the earth for a hundred and fifty days.(Gen 7: 24). The family of Noah had to stay  in the Ark  to wait receding flood. It reminds a man needs to wait patiently for the time of God to save.   After the flood, God made covenant with Noah, and blessed him and his sons. (Gen 9: 1)

    Sometimes we cannot understand whether the troubles come from God’s punishment, man made disaster, natural disaster or from the power of darkness.

      Nowadays, at the time  of Coronavirous (COVID 19) pandemic on earth, we need patience for self quarantine, heed the instructions of Governments, and Ministries of health  in the countries.  During the hardship, we will have new ideas and ways to survive. Our faith in God and heeding the instructions will be rewarded by God with blessings and provisions, protection and direction to each of us, our families, our nations.                    ( 3/ May/ 2020 -  jujulay )