Good morning,
When Jesus tells us something about the future, what he is telling us has a lot of information packed into just a few words. Most Bible readers are familiar with what Jesus tells us about his return when he said, "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day.(Lk.17:26) The first thing that comes to our minds is what the Bible tells us in Genesis 6:11, Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. When we look around us it looks like that’s what we are faced with right now. It seems like everywhere we look we see people who are corrupt, violent and deeply involved in living for themselves at the expense of the people around them. Then God told Noah, Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!(v.13) But then God told Noah, "Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.(v.14) God told him how big the boat was, and it was huge. As far as we can tell it probably took around a hundred years before the job was finished. God gave Noah another job to do while he and his crew did the woodwork. Peter tells us that, Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment.(2Pet.2:5) Now in our day we are finding out what happens to prophets and preachers who warn rebellious people about the judgments of God. What kept these violent people from burning his boat down or from killing Noah and his family? Peter goes on, So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. What did that protection look like? Jesus told us that part of God’s protection was how people ignored him. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.(Lk.17:27)
Not only did God give Noah the protection that he needed, he also gave him what it took to keep on year after year going back to the same job and the same people. He also gave him all the materials and the strength that it took to make daily progress in carrying out his assignment. Isaiah tells us how this works when he tells God’s people, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? and how can you say God ignores your rights?(Is.40:27) We keep forgetting who our God is and who has told us what he wants us to do for him. The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary No one can measure the depths of his understanding.(v.28) How could Noah and his family, and us ordinary people today, keep on going on in the face of the pressures we face. Our God, gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.(v.29) We have to face the fact that we are surrounded by the young and the strong who feel no need for God. Thankfully, those of us who belong to God’s family are not forgotten. The Lord has made us a wonderful promise when he said, But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.(v.31) Thankfully, God’s young family members will soar, the folks in the middle will keep on running, and us old folks will still be able to walk without fainting. Thank you Lord for your loving protection and care.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Roy Wisner
