Wednesday, March 02, 2016

DJD302 - Seven Days

Read More Daily Jesus
Scripture: 

Revelation 12:12

Starting Question:

Have you ever been right but nobody listened to you?

Seven Days

** Continued from Noah's Day yesterday **

God commanded Noah, “Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood... . And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals” (Genesis 6:19, 21). Surely Noah must have thought to himself, I can build a boat. I can even preach the same sermon for 120 years. But how am I supposed to find all those animals? Not to mention convincing them to get on my boat! n Sometimes God asks the impossible— not because He wants us to fail but because He wants us to rely on Him. And that is just what Noah did.

He focused on what he could do and let God do the rest.

When the ark was finished, animals started flocking, herding, plodding, meandering and wandering straight up the ramp and into the ark. God had made the impossible possible! The arrival of the animals caused quite a stir and the crowd of onlookers grew to a record number. Noah faced the crowd and called for repentance one last time.

The thousands of people—standing within reach of salvation's door—heard Noah's message. Noah stood in the entrance inviting them, “Come into the ark and be saved. The Lord is about to destroy all those who reject Him.” He paused, his voice catching in his throat.

“Reject Him no longer! Enter in. Walk up the ramp. Salvation awaits all those who come now! For those who reject this call—this call right now!—the depths of the sea awaits you. Do not drown. Trust God. Get on board!” As he spoke, a lonely tear streaked the dry dust on his weathered cheek.

No matter how compelling the message was or how convicting the passion in Noah's voice, no-one entered.

Many hearts were leaning toward the door but none allowed themselves to be humbled. They stood firm in their arrogance. And the door—the door to life—lifted off the ground and was sealed by the hand of God.

Noah had done all God asked him to do. He had built the ark. He had preached the sermon. But not one followed their heart into the ark. Only those who busied themselves building the ark were interested in boarding it.
The rain didn't start immediately.

For seven days, the dry air parched the throats of the taunting crowd. Each day would begin as the one before it—dry and hot. The crowd that had been enthralled by the animal parade and inspired by Noah's words now allowed hatred to fill their hearts—and their words of derision turned into violent acts of rage. Some threw rocks at the ark. Others beat on the side with weapons.

But their efforts succeeded only in escalating their frustration, anger and disdain for God and His ark.

** Continued in Noah's Way tomorrow **

Reflection Question:
Can you think of a creative way to help people want to listen? 

Prayer time:
Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
To Be Like Jesus, Page 70

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