Building The Ark Before The Rain Series

BUILDING THE ARK BEFORE THE RAIN

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Genesis 6:13-22

Key Verse:

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” (Hebrews 11:7)

Supporting Texts: Genesis 7:1-7; Matthew 24:37-39; Proverbs 22:3; Habakkuk 2:2-3

INTRODUCTION

God often calls His people to prepare for what they cannot yet see. Faith does not wait for physical confirmation before it acts; it responds to divine instruction with trust and obedience. Noah was commanded to build an ark at a time when rain had never fallen, making his obedience both unusual and demanding.

In Noah’s generation, preparation before evidence looked like foolishness. While others lived carelessly, Noah invested his time, resources, and strength in a divine instruction that contradicted natural understanding. Yet, his preparation was not in vain; it became the means of salvation for his household.

This message challenges believers to build in faith before the rain comes; before promotion, breakthrough, judgment, or revival manifests. God still honours those who prepare ahead of time in obedience to His word.

1. FAITH OBEYS GOD BEFORE SEEING EVIDENCE

True faith responds to God’s word even when circumstances offer no visible support.

a) Faith Acts on Divine Warning (Hebrews 11:7)

Noah acted on God’s warning about unseen events, proving that faith believes God’s word over physical reality.

b) Faith Does Not Depend on Experience (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Noah had never seen rain, yet he believed God beyond personal experience.

c) Faith Respects God’s Authority (Proverbs 3:5)

Trusting God fully meant Noah leaned not on human reasoning.

d) Faith Moves with Godly Fear (Psalm 111:10)

Reverence for God motivated Noah to take God’s instruction seriously.

Biblical Example:

Noah responded in faith to God’s warning about the coming flood and began building the ark without any visible sign of rain (Genesis 6:13-14)

2. OBEDIENCE REQUIRES PREPARATION AHEAD OF TIME

Preparation is proof that faith is genuine and active.

a) God Commands Preparation Before Manifestation (Genesis 6:14)

God instructed Noah to prepare the ark long before the flood arrived.

b) Delay in Preparation Leads to Loss (Proverbs 22:3)

Noah’s early preparation spared him from sudden destruction.

c) Preparation Demands Discipline and Sacrifice (Luke 14:28)

Building the ark required sustained effort, resources, and commitment.

d) God Rewards Timely Obedience (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Noah prepared in God’s timing, not his own convenience.

Biblical Example:

Noah spent years constructing the ark exactly as God commanded before the flood came (Genesis 6:22)

3. PREPARATION ATTRACTS MOCKERY BEFORE IT BRINGS DELIVERANCE

Those who prepare ahead often face ridicule before they see results.

a) Obedience Can Look Foolish to the World (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Noah’s obedience was mocked because it defied human logic.

b) Mockery Is a Test of Conviction (Galatians 6:9)

Noah remained consistent despite public ridicule.

c) Faith Endures Opposition (James 1:12)

Perseverance under pressure proved Noah’s faith genuine.

d) God Vindicates the Obedient (Isaiah 54:17)

The ark eventually silenced every mocker.

Biblical Example:

Noah continued building the ark faithfully while the world ignored and mocked the warning (Matthew 24:37-39)

4. PREPARATION POSITIONS YOU FOR DIVINE PRESERVATION

God’s provision is often hidden inside obedience-driven preparation.

a) God Preserves Those Who Prepare (Genesis 7:1)

Noah’s preparation positioned him for divine invitation into the ark.

b) Preparation Becomes a Place of Refuge (Psalm 27:5)

The ark became a shelter because it was built in obedience.

c) God Secures What He Ordains (Genesis 7:16)

God shut the door of the ark, sealing Noah’s safety.

d) Prepared Faith Secures Generations (Acts 16:31)

Noah’s preparation saved his entire household.

Biblical Example:

Noah and his family entered the ark and were preserved when the flood came (Genesis 7:1-7)

CONCLUSION

Building the ark before the rain was an act of radical faith, unwavering obedience, and disciplined preparation. Noah’s story reminds us that God often calls His people to prepare long before manifestation appears. What looks like delay is often divine training for preservation.

Today, God is calling believers to build: build faith, character, obedience, and spiritual capacity before the rain comes. Those who prepare early will not panic when the storm arrives, for God always shelters those who obey Him in faith.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, strengthen my faith to obey You even when I cannot see evidence, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from spiritual laziness and help me to prepare ahead, in Jesus name.

3. Every spirit of delay assigned to stop my preparation, be destroyed, in Jesus name.

4. Father, give me grace to obey You despite mockery and opposition, in Jesus name.

5. Lord, help me to build according to Your divine pattern, in Jesus name.

6. I receive strength to remain consistent until my assignment is completed, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let my preparation become a place of refuge for my family, in Jesus name.