Time to Build an Ark

The Lord told Noah to build him an arky arky,
The Lord told Noah to build him an arky arky,
Build it out of hickory barky,
Children of the Lord.
—Rise and Shine lyrics

Well actually, the Ark wasn’t constructed out of “hickory barky” – but if you grew up with this awesome children’s song – you didn’t care because it was so much fun!

In many ways, that’s how I feel about the release of the long awaited epic movie Noah…on the one hand the movie (by its own admission) takes artistic license with the Biblical narrative, thus potentially detracting from the message God intended to convey in Scripture.

In other words, looks like they added some hickory barky to the plotline!

But on the other hand, the film features both Anthony Hopkins and Russell Crow as Methuselah and Noah respectively…

Um, awesome much?

And despite taking liberties with the Biblical narrative of the aquatic apocalypse, Noah gets three things right (spoiler alert!):

• Humankind is desperately wicked.
• God judges the world through a flood.
• Noah saves his family and reboots the human race on a renewed earth.

So in the final analysis, you must decide before the Lord if supporting or protesting this film is in obedience to His calling on your life, but don’t lose sight of the great opportunity we have for THE Cause when a Biblically based blockbuster hits the theaters like a flood.

And of what opportunity do I speak?  The same one that Noah himself was given!

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith (Hebrews 11:7, NLT).

And it will be by faith that you find a way in your corner of this wicked world to warn your friends and family of the impending judgment that may just be right around the corner.  Just like Noah, we are warning our loved ones of something we’ve never seen either, but the righteous God who sent the first flood made of water will surely be faithful to the promise of another massive, sweeping movement of God, Christ’s return. Jesus Himself describes it like this:

As it was at the time of Noah, so it will be with the coming of the Son of Man. In the days before the flood, people were busy making lives for themselves: they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, making plans and having children and growing old, until the day Noah entered the ark.  Those people had no idea what was coming; they knew nothing about the floods until the floods were upon them, sweeping them all away. That is how it will be with the coming of the Son of Man. So keep watch. You don’t know when your Lord will return (Matthew 24:37-39; The Voice).

Sometimes it is easy to get comfortable in our contentment and forget that the same basic plotline that was true in Noah’s day remains the same today.

• Humankind is desperately wicked.
• Jesus will return to judge the world.
• We must do our part to save those around.

And just like in Noah’s day, we don’t know the exact moment that destruction will come, so perhaps it is time to build an Ark?

Obviously, I don’t mean grow a huge beard, go down to Home Depot and clean out their supplies, then max out your credit card at PetSmart on doggie chow, elephant chow, giraffe chow and…(you get the picture).

Rather, like Noah, we need to be bold and outspoken in the way God has called us to tell people that they must trust in Jesus as their only hope of salvation.  Be fearless in proclaiming the truth that a storm is coming and that God still must react to wickedness.  Hammer home the words and works of Jesus in your heart so that everyone can see that you have received the righteousness that comes by faith in Him.

And most importantly, look to the skies…not for rain clouds, but for the return of our Savior.  Let His imminent return bring you both joy and a fearful respect as you long to see the fulfillment of our hope in the new heaven and new earth!

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

The film Noah gives us a great opportunity to advance THE Cause of Christ and bring up the subject of our relationship with God and Jesus’ return.  Don’t waste this great occasion to be used by God for THE Cause!

 

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray: Jesus, help us be mindful of Your return and give us boldness to speak of Your offer of salvation with our friends and family who don’t know You.  Thank You for saving us, and help us be bold, obedient and determined like Noah.

Read: 2 Peter 2:5. And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

Get:  Wondering how to go about reaching your school for Christ? Check out some of the great resources available at Every Student, Every School.