PASSING THROUGH THE WATERS
T
he streets were unsafe even in daylight. News from elsewhere brought increasing reports of violence, corruption and immorality. Everyone lived to please themselves, trampling whoever got in their way. Victims became abusers feeling justified in their cruelty; and the cycle spun out of control. The days grew worse until nearly the whole world had turned its back on God. Every wrongful act—large or small—brought more disorder; a pandemic of sin and corruption. He is patient; but God will not allow evil to continue indefinitely.
So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth”. GENESIS 6:7
Yet before God sent a worldwide flood to wash away humanity, He delayed judgement for 100 years in order to rescue Noah, a righteous man; and give him an opportunity to preach to others.1 In that time Noah built his famous ark; a giant vessel that would hold his family and a whole zoo of animals. At last the day came when God’s mercy ended and the waters began. God shut Noah, his family and the animals into their dark, floating tomb for nearly a year. A year! Months and months of darkness, in the pressing heat of hundreds of living creatures. Being in total lockdown in that ark was undoubtedly difficult; they surely longed for dry land, sunshine and fresh air. But the only other option was to face the waters on their own. The ark was the only salvation God had provided to keep them safe from the awesome judgement swirling underneath. 1 See Genesis 5:32; 6:9; 7:6; 2 Peter 2:5
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