Can you imagine how dark it must have been the night before the flood came upon the earth? The destruction that was coming was never in consideration. While all the while Noah was, “building an ark to the saving of his house”. What was going on can be found in modern language.
Genesis chapter 6,
5-7 God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. God said, “I’ll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I’m sorry I made them.” 8 But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.
9-10 This is the story of Noah: Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11-12 As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupts and corrupting—life itself corrupt to the core.
13 God said to Noah, “It’s all over. It’s the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I’m making a clean sweep. The Message Translation
It is hard to believe that mankind could stray so far away from God. It is important as a student of the Word of God, to remember that the wickedness of man can bring wrath of God upon mankind. Don’t ever think God is not looking in Genesis 6, four different times in 8 verses God what God saw, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth and man’s heart was evil before him continually.” Can you imagine the disappointment of God as well as how dark the times had
become?
However, when you read this chapter there is a sunny side to the story, “but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8 There is not just one story like this in the Bible and I think for good reasons, to remind us what that “God’s Spirit will not always strive with man”, as found it verse 3.
Have you ever seen smoke from a candle or smoke from a raging fire? From the Biblical perspective, God has a way of dealing with wickedness but I will let the Bible speak for itself, God destroys it and starts all over again. There is one verse that we should all be thankful for and I will speak for myself here, Romans 11:22; “Behold... the goodness and severity of God.”
I know from the same Roman letter:
God Is Kind but Not Soft.
2 1-2 Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.
3-4 You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. THE MESSAGE TRANSLATION
I have felt the need to call upon on all evangelical and spirit filled believers to increase our desire to be sober, to live holy and godly lives, to dedicate themselves to renewed service and sacrifice for our Lord and Savior. We should be like Noah who was moved by God to prepare for what is coming. I think often of Lot who needed to be ready to make an escape from what is to come upon the earth. I think the times are darker than Noah’s day, and horrendous in the eyes of God as
Lot’s day. Did you ever read of the consequence of Noah’s Ark building days? “He condemned the world by his act of obedience, Hebrews 11:7”
Kings and Queens can abdicate their earthly thrones for a worldly romance but the truly born- again sons and daughters of God cannot. We are the light in the gross darkness of our day we are to shine like lights. Our business is light for those who have a reservation in “the blackness and darkness forever.” Jude 1:13
CAN YOU HEAR IT? THE MIDNIGHT CRY AND WE’LL BE GOING HOME !!!
We continue to be blessed by your love and faithfulness. I want to thank you for praying for me while I was in the hospital and regret that I was not able to be with you on Mother’s Day but I was praying for each and every mother and my heart was with you all. Thank you for showing your love for you church family as we live Life Together.
I believe in you,
Pastor’s Cleddie and GayNell