We read in Psalm 77:11-12, “I will remember your great deeds, LORD; I will recall the wonders you did in the past. I will think about all that you have done; I will meditate on all your mighty acts.” (GNB)
There are many who are held in bondage to all sorts of fears. The fears that constrain them are those of the past, present, future and often there is no basis for many of their fears. The fear that the Bible encourages us to have is that reverent fear for the Lord, which is considered the beginning of wisdom. However, the worldly fears that grip and control us are most certainly a serious form of enslavement.
We studied in details about the wondrous works of God in the previous sermon. We understood the truth that God exists, that He is the originator of all of creation, and that He is the one who sustains the world, even today. The Psalmist also mentioned the fact that he recalled the wonders that God performed in the past.
Recalling the wonders of the past
The word of God records all the wonderful acts, and deliverances of God, so that we can meditate on them, and learn from them. However, often we are so familiar with these accounts, we scan through, failing to perceive the mighty hand of God that is portrayed in every narration, which should in reality fill our hearts with awe and wonder. It is only when we study the word of God this way, can we comprehend the greatness of the God we believe in, and thereby be rid of all our apprehensions.
The wonders of God in Noah’s life
We read in Genesis 6:17-18, “For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” (RSV)
When God looked down on all of His creation, He was distressed to see that the wickedness and sins of mankind had increased beyond measure. God came to a point where He could contend with mere humans no longer, and therefore decided to destroy all of the earth that He had created with floods. There was only one man Noah, and his family who found favor in the eyes of God. This was because Noah was a righteous man in his generation, and he walked with God. Though the Lord resolved to totally destroy all of His creation, He established his covenant with Noah, and his family that they would be kept safe.
As Noah was surrounded by torrential rain, wailing, death and destruction all around, the Lord was true to His covenant that He made with Noah. He kept Noah and his family safe and secure in the ark. Noah had every right to be afraid of the unknown, but He chose to obey the Lord and enter into the ark as the Lord commanded him. There was death and devastation all around, but in the ark was the assurance of God’s divine protection.
The New Covenant
All of us who believe in the Lord Jesus, are participants of the new covenant that was established through Jesus. It was confirmed by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, when He willingly went to the cross, for the redemption of the sins of all mankind. We are joyful members of this superior covenant and therefore have absolutely no need to be fearful of anything.
That is why Paul says in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”(NKJV)
The Lord has called us to be His children, not to destroy us but to be kept safe in the ark called Christ. The ark in the Noah’s time is a reminder to us that we have a far more secure place when we abide in Christ. That is the reason why we need to meditate on all that is recorded in the Bible, as they enable us to not only ponder on the marvelous deeds of God, but also can be translated to our life as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s divine protection
We read in Psalm 91:7-8, “A thousand may fall dead beside you, ten thousand all around you, but you will not be harmed. You will look and see how the wicked are punished.” (GNB)
We live in days where there are numerous unforeseen dangers lurking all around. Every day we hear of new diseases, and untold calamities that befall people everywhere. As we read and hear all of these unpleasant news, without our realization we too are gripped with fear and trepidation. Here’s the word of God from Psalm 91 that assures us that though everything may go haywire around us, we are secure in His hands, as we are children of the new covenant. The Lord will not allow any evil to come near our dwelling, and we must practice speaking words of faith, instead of doubt.
We read in Genesis 7:19, “The water rose very high above the earth. It covered all the high mountains everywhere under the sky.” (GW)
The rains were so heavy and consistent for 40 day that the waters rose above the mountains. However, Noah was protected in the ark which floated high above the waters.
In Isaiah 54:10, we read, “The mountains may move, and the hills may shake, but my kindness will never depart from you. My promise of peace will never change," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”(GW)
The word of God affirms that though the mountains are moved, and the hills are shaken, the Lord will not fail in His kindness, because He is a covenant keeping God. If we can comprehend the elevated position that the Lord has established us in, there will be no room for fear in our lives.
The analogy of baptism from Noah’s ark
We read in I Peter 3:20, “In this ship a few people-eight in all-were saved by water.” (GW)
Though the world was filled with numerous people, only eight people were saved. Noah and his family obeyed the word of God, and entered the ark. As long as Noah was preparing the ark, preaching to the people about the impending doom, the door to the ark was kept open. However when Noah and his family entered the ark, the Lord Himself shut the door of the ark, so that no one from inside could go out, and none on the outside could enter in.
The Lord was content to save just a few people; eight in all. We must be reminded that our God does not look for numbers or majority. The Lord only favors those who walk in obedience, in fear of Him and His word. Like in the days of Noah, these are days when the doors are open and we would be wise to enter into the salvation that Jesus freely offers, while there is still time.
We read in 1 Peter 3:21, “which was a symbol pointing to baptism, which now saves you. It is not the washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good conscience. It (baptism) saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (GW)
Many of the incidents recorded in the Old Testament find major significance in the New Testament. The event of Noah and his family being saved in the ark, is a symbol or representation of baptism that is established in the New Testament.
The baptism that the Lord commands us to go through, is not for the washing away of bodily dirt, but for the cleansing of our sins from within, so that we could lead lives here on earth with a good conscience. This is the new covenant that the Lord is inviting each of us into. A good conscience implies that one knows what is right and wrong. That is the reason why child baptism is of no value, as a baby will never be able to discern what is right and what is wrong. God in his foresight knew that the ark was a symbol of the baptism in the new covenant, and no wonder then it seems that all of the eight people who were in the ark were only adults.
It is only when one as an adult repents, believes the gospel of Jesus, and goes through the waters of baptism, is it considered the true baptism that the Lord approves of. This is not a tradition of men, but a command based on the word of God. The word ‘Baptizo’ is from the Greek which actually means to immerse. In the Tamil translation the word is translated as ‘Gnanasnanam’ which implies going down into the waters with the wisdom and revelation from God. This is the wisdom that we are sinners that Jesus died for our sins, that He is the only way for our redemption, and we are in need of His cleansing. Baptism is that act of witness which affirms this wisdom that we received from God.
Noah’s Life: A warning of the end of days
Jesus referred to this event of Noah for yet another reason.
We read in Matthew 24:37- 39, "When the Son of Man comes again, it will be exactly like the days of Noah. In the days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, and getting married until the day that Noah went into the ship. They were not aware of what was happening until the flood came and swept all of them away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes again.”(GW)
The event of what transpired before the destruction by the floods during the time of Noah, is compared to what it would be like during the second coming of Jesus. In verse 38 we read that everyone during the time of Noah were eating, drinking and getting married. This must have been the case for Noah too. Noah too must have eaten, drunk, had his children married like anyone else. So what was it that made Noah different from those around him? Though Noah was also involved with the mundane daily tasks, he was attentive to the voice of God and walked in obedience to God. God communed with Noah warning him about the impending danger, which Noah gave heed to and got busy building the ark. Many people might have come and even labored in building the ark, but only for a mere wage. When the floods came and the ark lifted up on the waters, there may have been many who begged Noah to let them in, some of whom also helped to build the ark, but there was no way for them to enter as the Lord had shut the door from without.
In verse 39, we read that the people in the days of Noah were not even aware of what was happening, until the floods overwhelmed them. Though Noah preached, and warned them of what lay ahead, no one heeded his voice. When the rains began and the floods rose, it was then that they wanted to escape the peril, but it was too late.
Many are so busy with work and caught up with a myriad of earthly responsibilities, that they have no time for God or His word. If we are like those people who spend all of our time for this temporal life, we too will come to that place where we will lose out on eternity with God. We have no qualms in spending loads of time for work, social media and entertainment, but make no time for God, for prayer, reading of the word and for fellowship at church.
Noah heeded the Lord’s voice and was saved, whereas those who went about with their earthly duties and cared nothing about God, lost it all. They lost everything; all of their worldly wealth and lost their lives as well.
When God commanded Noah to take all the animals in pairs into the ark, Noah did not have to go searching for them. Noah and his family got into the ark and the animals and birds came in pairs on their own accord, in obedience to the voice of God. While animals and birds walked in obedience into the ark, isn’t it a mournful thought that it was men and women who were rebellious and disobedient, who turned a deaf ear to the preaching of Noah as they stood outside, mocking the man of God.
We must seek the Lord while he may be found, because there will come a time when even though people seek him they will not find Him. These are days when the door is wide open, but if we continue heedless and negligent there will come a day when the door will be shut, and we will miss out on eternity. The Lord is constantly speaking to us, and when He does it would be wise to be attentive and set things right in our lives.
We must not be like the prodigal son who went away, and wasted all of his father’s wealth, only because he did not stay where the Lord wanted him to be. He was reduced to becoming a keeper of pigs, and it was only when he came to his senses that he returned to his father. It is true that the father lovingly restored him back, gave him his robe, sandals, ring and threw a feast, but the fact remains that He wasted all that belonged to his father. The inheritance that he should have enjoyed, he completely threw away because of his rebellion.
The story of Noah is recorded so we too will give thought, to be ready and prepared, instead of being disobedient and rebellious. It is not optional, but critical for one to repent, believe in the Lord Jesus, and go through the waters of baptism. This is not a mere tradition of men, but the command of the Lord.
May the Lord help us to change our priorities in life (repent), turn towards God, spend time with God and His word. We are called to understand who Jesus is, believe in Him, take baptism and lead a holy life with the help of the Holy Spirit. The second coming of Jesus will be sudden and unexpected, therefore we must always be prepared to meet Him. The same waters that destroyed the rebellious, also saved Noah and his family of eight, who totally believed and obeyed God. May God help us, and our families to be found ready to meet the Lord Jesus when He comes again in all His glory.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
