My Dear Friend,
I pray that today’s word of encouragement will be a friendly, but urgent, reminder to all of us that the most important decision of our lifetime should not be put off until later. Today is the day. As always, you are very much loved and missed. I long to see you soon.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Mark
“And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh is before Me; the earth is filled with violence…Make for yourself an ark…Behold, I even I, am bringing the flood of water upon the earth…But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark’…Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did…So they went into the ark…and the Lord closed the door behind him. Then the flood came upon the earth…” Genesis 6:12 -7:17
The Bible does not reveal exactly how long it took Noah to build the ark. Some estimate that it took at least 50 years. The point is that no one knew exactly what day the flood waters would begin to rise, and certainly, no one knew at which moment God Himself would close the gangplank (7:16). Those who were observing the ark’s construction had all those years to believe what Noah had been preaching – that judgment was coming – or to conclude that he was nothing but a self-deluded old galoot. Most people decided the latter. And until the waters finally rose to an alarming level, just imagine the mocking and sneering he must have endured!
There are many archetypal metaphors contained in the story of Noah’s Ark. The three most important ones are: (1) Just as in the days of Noah, most of humanity has rejected God’s plan of salvation; (2) When judgment is pronounced, God always provides a way of escape; and (3) Jesus Christ is the living Ark of Safety that God has provided to be our Refuge when the final Judgment comes (Cf. Luke 17:26).
This past week, I went to the dentist to have an exam and cleaning. When the receptionist handed me the little reminder card for my next appointment she said, “You know… It used to be that when I handed a patient an appointment card for six months later, you could pretty much guarantee – barring some personal emergency or schedule change – that we would most definitely see them on that day. Now, when I hand them the card for a date so far into the future, one never knows what will happen in the meantime. Will the office even be open, as we were unexpectedly closed for so long earlier this year?”
Throughout the entire world, all our tomorrows are now utterly unpredictable. That is why it is so important to be ready – ready for disaster, ready for food and toilet paper shortages, ready for Jesus’ coming, ready to meet Him should He allow us to leave this world in an untimely manner.
Many years ago, a young friend of mine who was only 22 years of age gripped his chest and died suddenly of a heart attack in the kitchen. The doctor said that sometimes this just happens. He said it could happen to any person at any time. Things happen. They can happen to any person at any time.
Are you ready? The Bible says to us,
“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-3
I urge you to be sure. If you have not yet done so, I urge you to come to know and receive Jesus Christ, your only Ark of Safety, today. As Noah “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9), so must we. If you had been walking with the Lord in the past but have gone astray, I urge you to come back to the right path.
Not one of us are promised another day. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.