When I tell you God is amazing it's not because I guessed or because I just decided but because He has shown me and because it's true.
The God I serve made paupers into queens, slaves into officials, shepherds into great leaders and took a very, very, very old man and used him to save the world.
If God can do all these amazing things with ordinary people just imagine what God can do through you!
My friend shared with me a little post about some life lessons from Noah's ark that really stood out to me, so I adapted some, backed them up with promises and here they are as a blog post.
Life Lessons From Noah's ark
1. Don't miss the boat
Jesus promised in John 14:1-3 that He would come again to take us, His people home. He has already gone to prepare a place for us and in His death and sacrifice He made a way for us to have salvation and eternal life.
One piece of information Jesus didn't tell us is when He would come again. Too often we live reckless lives forgetting one important thing, tomorrow is not promised!
Jesus is coming to take His people home, people who love Him, who obey Him and serve Him right here on earth. Don't miss the boat, don't miss the most important event in history. Choose to live for Jesus today, tomorrow very well might be too late.
Mark 13:32-33 “But of that day and hour no one knows, even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." Matthew 25:13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
2. We are all in the same boat
The saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Instead of tearing each other down we need to build each other up. If I learnt anything last year it's that I can't do this alone. God gave us community to help us in this life and to remind us that we don't have to do it alone. I'm so grateful for a loving, praying, encouraging church family and network that are always there for me. If you are looking for a community network to support your please feel free to get in touch.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
3. Trust in God's promises
If God promises it, you can believe it! He is faithful even when we are not. His word will not return to Him void. Noah trusted that what God said would come to pass, and it did. Before the rains came, Noah probably just sounded like a crazy old man, especially when there had never been a flood before. Despite the haters Noah stood firm in God, leant on His promises and they came to pass.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
4. Age really is just a number in God's eyes
Noah was hundreds of years old when he was called by God to build the ark and Moses was in his eighties when he went to speak to Pharaoh. On the other hand Josiah was eight when we was called to be king and Joseph only around seventeen years old when he was sold into slavery.
The point is whether you're 5 or 505 God can still use you to do a mighty work for Him. Just let Him.
Exodus 7:7
And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Genesis 7:6
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.
2 Kings 22:1
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
5. Don't listen to the haters
Noah preached for hundreds of years to people who weren't willing to listen. It's pretty obvious Noah and his three sons didn't build the ark alone. It's likely people from the surrounding villages and maybe even countries came to help. How many of those people got on the boat? None. They may have helped Noah build but they were still constantly against the message he had to give.
You will have haters in this life, fact. Not everyone you meet is for you, even friends can turn around and bite you. But one thing I know, if God is for you no-one can be against you and if God is all you have, you have everything you need.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
6. The ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals
I've never once read in the Bible that Noah was a professional ark maker. To be honest even if he was someone who made boats, this task God put before him was nothing like anything anyone had ever known.
God could've given the task to anyone, but he chose a little old man and his family. Why? Because God saw his heart, his willing and faithful heart. God doesn't always call the qualified but He qualifies the called. Give God what you have, give Him your all and watch Him do amazing things.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Exodus 3:11-12
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
7. No matter the storm, with God there's always a rainbow waiting
Let me leave you with this...Things might look a hot mess right now, but trust that God is in full control. There are great things on the horizon because God has promised!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
What lessons have you learnt from reading the story of Noah?
Let us know in the comments below.