A Word from Pastor Stephen – March 27, 2020

“The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the LORD said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created – and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground – for I regret I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:5-8 NIV)

In the time of Noah, God takes a look around and sees that people have really fouled things up. We are only 6 chapters into the Bible and God is saying, “I’m done!” It tells us that God regretted making human beings and that God is even heartbroken about it. That’s not good at all. So God decides to wipe the slate clean and start over.

But God doesn’t start completely over. God picks Noah and his family to keep the human race going. We are told that Noah is a moral and upright man. He is devout and walks with God. God tells Noah to build an ark. He gives him the specifications and tells him how to make it. The Bible says that Noah was 600 years old when the ark was finished. I have trouble at my age assembly something I bought at IKEA. By the way, the Bible says that Noah lived to be 950.

So Noah builds the Ark and loads it up with all the animals and provisions and his family. Then it starts to rain and rain and water erupts from the earth. It rains for forty days and forty nights. Water covered the earth. The story goes into some detail. I hope as members of this church you know the story. If not, then turn to Genesis chapter 6 and start reading.

Noah looked like a fool for his faith, but he saved the world from drowning, and we must not forget the one that Noah points to. Jesus looked like a fool up on the cross, but he also saved the world from drowning. He still saves the world. We must build our own ark with love and ride out the storm with courage knowing we will see the dove with the little olive branch in its beak letting us know that it will be ok.

Even though the story of Noah is dark and terrifying, it ultimately is a story of restoration and hope. After Noah and his family and the animals are off the Ark, God promises he will never do that again. The rainbow is a sign of that promise.

This turmoil and disruption of daily life will not last forever. We will emerge on the other side. In many places on the Internet you will find life lessons with the title Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Noah. Let me share my favorite ten with you. Especially number 10.

1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something big.

• 5.Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

1. For safety's sake, travel in pairs. (Six feet apart right now.)
2. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
3. When you're stressed, float a while.
4. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
5. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Amen.