Genesis 6:13-22

“So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22, NLT)

Once my wife and I boarded a Southwest Airlines jet. If you’ve flown Southwest, then you know they don’t have reserved seating. (Although they have just changed this policy.) Everyone boarded in groups, and passengers could sit in any available seat. The flight was full, and it was apparent that Cindy and I would not be able to sit together, so we found two seats where she was sitting in front of me, and I was sitting in the exit row. This was good for me, because there was more leg room! But then I had to listen carefully while the flight attendant questioned us to verify that we could handle the responsibility. I then took out the card from the seat pocket to learn exactly what I must do should the plane crash land. Now I’ve been on planes enough to know that when the flight crew goes through their emergency instruction presentation, most people tune it out. But what if we were all convinced that the plane was going down? Do you think people would listen to the instructions on how to save their lives?

God told Noah that because violence filled the earth, He was going to destroy all living creatures, and Noah was convinced! Therefore, Noah was all ears when God told him what he must do to save himself, his family, and all the creatures God was going to bring to him. Even though it was an incredibly daunting task that would take Noah and his three sons an estimated 55-75 years, Noah followed God’s specified instructions to the letter. Consequently, he saved himself and his household (not to mention lions, tigers, bears, birds, spiders, and snakes).

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, ESV)

By faith Noah acted. Is it the same with us? When God warns us about something or prompts us to do something, do we respond? Do we understand the days in which we are living?

The Bible tells us that the end of all things is at hand (1 Peter 4:7). Are we fully convinced? Are we listening carefully to what God tells us we must do to save ourselves and our families? We have been given an “ark of refuge” in Jesus Christ. He is the Door we must enter to save ourselves and have eternal life (John 10:7-10). We do not have to labor as hard as Noah, for God has done the work of our salvation.

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” (John 6:29, NKJV)

Are there areas where God has been calling you to act, but you keep delaying? If the “door” were to shut today, would you have any regrets? What would it look like for us to put our faith into action today?