The size of Noah's arc ensured that it could carry tens of thousands of animals. This dramatic event demonstrated God's wrath toward sin, but also his mercy toward those who seek him. Faithfulness to God remains vital, even if everyone around us marches to a different drumbeat. Have you ever seen someone doing something and then you say, "You'll never catch me doing that."? Upright and obedient, Noah stood alone against a carousing, lustful world thank drank itself silly. Who would have thought that Noah would end up drunk? Abraham was ready to push obedience to the next level by sacrificing his only son. Who would have imagined that he would lie straight-faced? Look at Lot standing against the filthiness of Sodom. Hardly does he get delivered from the city's destruction than he falls into incest. Who would have guessed? Bold and courageous David was brave enough to go up against Goliath, the warrior giant of the Philistines; later on he made believe that he was a madman for fear of his enemies. And consider Elijah. We take him to be a rather brave man, wielding the sword of God's vengeance against tens of thousands. But the threat of one woman then sends him into suicidal despair. Peter, as part of the inner circle, followed the footsteps of Jesus closer than anyone. He ended up cursing and denying the Lord. (1 Corinthians 10:11) The things that happened to those people are examples for us. They were written down to teach us, because we live in a time when all these things of the past have reached their goal. Just when you think that you know yourself, you do or say something that seems so out of character. But it's really not. The character of our body of sin and death is to sin. Don't be surprised. Just be careful that you, too, do not fall. God wants us to stand against sin. Sometimes we must do it all by ourselves, but it is always easier to stand with others. If you are slugging it out alone, pray for a friend-someone with whom you can share the joys and struggles of faith.
Exploration: (1 Corinthians 10:13; 15:58); (Galatians 5;1); (Ephesians 6:14); (2 Thessalonians 2:15); (Hebrews 2:18; 12:1-3); (James 1:12)
The Flock of God
(1 Peter 5:8-9)
Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.
No comments:
Post a Comment