-Strength for Today- "God’s Convicting Ark." Hebrews 11:7 (Read also Genesis 6:8-7:16)
When God destroyed the old world with the flood, He wasn’t being mean, Scripture says “that, the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually - Genesis 6.5. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. God had called for “repentance,” and had made “provision for salvation,” “but it was rejected.” It was Noah's building the ark that condemned the world, and “every board he sawed”, “every nail he pounded,” “passed sentence upon a guilty world.”
So, Noah in “building the ark” was working out his own salvation, you might say. But at the same time, he was passing sentence on the world. For, his building the ark “demonstrated God’s provision for salvation in a wicked world.” It demonstrated that a man could be righteous in Gods sight with the righteousness faith.
Noah heard from God, and responded to what He was hearing from God's clear instructions, he built the ark by faith. The ark became a testimony, “that condemned the world.” It provided God with just cause to bring in the flood. Noah's building the ark demonstrated that God had provided “a way for sinners to be saved,” just as the “atonement” did through the “death, “burial” and “resurrection” of the Lord Jesus Christ. The flood of Noah’s day, and the ark of his salvation through it, speaks of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Noah prepared an ark, and all who entered this “ark” enjoyed this salvation. On Calvary, Jesus prepared an Ark to the saving of His house, “the household of faith.” The cross of Jesus was provisional, it “secured” salvation for all who’ll enter this “ark, by faith, and enjoy this salvation. It was here that God dealt with the sin of man and provided a Way for righteousness. This is what hearing the Gospel is all about.
Because as the world grows in its wickedness, this statement is going to get louder and louder as the "convicting work” of the Holy Spirit “convict's sinners of their sin,” and the “holiness” and “righteousness” of Christ is “revealed in us.” Noah's building the ark “condemned the world and brought in the flood.” Our own walk can hasten the coming of the day of God. And the sentence of Calvary will be carried out.
One day “God’s door of grace,” will be sealed, and He’ll deal with all “evil,” “iniquity,” “rebellion,” “sin,” and “wickedness. My question to you, “have you entered God’s Ark of safety, by accepting His provision of salvation through the saving work of His Son Jesus Christ? If not, the door to His Ark of safety is still open. So, by faith, this morning, ask Jesus to come into your heart, and save you.
Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD