On the ark were Noah's children.
What does that say about Noah and his life and message? What does that say about his children?
Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5). He preached for one hundred and twenty years while building the ark. In the end, only his family came on board the ark. Was he a successful preacher or not?
In God's eyes, he was a great success. And for every God-fearing parent, the testimony of his life and the fruit of his ministry is a great encouragement.
Noah faithfully told the world in love and earnest pleas about the flood that was coming. He did his work earnestly, prayerfully, faithfully, and righteously. In the end, the choice was up to his listeners. They were faithfully warned. Lovingly warned. That was a huge accomplishment.
Jesus doesn't say that all the world will believe before He comes. Instead, He says that all the world must be warned before He comes. His message goes as a witness to all nations, and people will make their choices. Fortunately, we know that many will respond positively to God's end-time message, embracing it, while unfortunately the majority will not receive the truth. Sadly, even many with great privileges of knowing God will turn from the message of Heaven. O may our souls turn fully to God and not linger nor slight His mercies.
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Jesus, Matthew 24:14).
Our goal is to warn as many as we can, seeking to save as many as we can. Our message will go "as a witness unto all nations." They will have a witness of God's clear call. Then, they will make a decision one way or the other. "And then the end shall come."
Let's be faithful in this grand work!
But then again, what about Noah's children? Wouldn't we love to see our children saved "in the ark?" Saved in Jesus? How can we be more certain of this? How can we help our children, our families to know Jesus and be saved? We cannot make their choices for them. We cannot "buy" them in. We cannot make them come. But, we CAN direct them in the right way and give them the BEST chance possible!
Here are some quick lessons from Noah's life which led to his children being saved. These lessons will help our children to have the best possible chance for salvation, if we heed them.
Look at this famous text once more (before we explore these points):
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith" (Hebrews 11:7).
"To the saving of his house" Noah believed God and took action. Will we do in like manner? We must.
Here are 7 things which Noah did, which saved his children:
1. He prayed to God and had a regular, personal relationship with Him. (He had Divine power to guide him and he set a powerful life example of how to connect with and "walk with" God).
2. He prayed for His family. (For their salvation). Prayer is powerful because God is powerful, and we connect with Him.
3. He studied God’s word. (For the wisdom needed to live righteously, and to act wisely)
4. He believed God’s word and took action upon it. Action inspires others. “Faith without works is dead.” He lived his faith in true practice. We need to live the faith. Others will see this and respond. Our children will be far more inclined to respond to such a powerful and positive example of faith in action. (Heb. 11:7). (action taker).
5. He set a godly, believing example for his family. (His true practice spoke to them; example maker)
6. He taught his family diligently the way of God. His own life, faith, belief, and actions backed up and supported his teachings. He taught by precept, not only example. Combining teaching with example is powerful. We should take the time to specifically INSTRUCT and teach our family, and others, verbally with the word of God. Plant the seed of God's word in the hearts of our children and others. It surely makes a difference!
7. He got his family involved and active in missions to save the lost. They were all an active part in his mission to build the ark and to gather and win souls into it. The effect of working together for God is huge; the experience is life altering for good. The children caught hold of the mission; the heart and spirit of their father and the heart of God. Are we helping to instill this missionary spirit into our children? May it be so. Let's make all efforts to help them get involved now, early on, in God's work.
This environment and life work of Noah led his children to experience God daily, too. Then, in turn, to make their own choices in favor of God. They were saved because of it. Praise God!
Would you like to follow the pattern of Noah's life? Let's begin today!
We may have fallen short. Our children may be out of the house and on their own. But if it is true, we must trust it into God's hands, choose to implement His principles now, and pray that God will help us to be faithful and victors through His power, to better reach their hearts while hope lasts.
God has HOPE for you and for me! Let's claim His promises and begin now to work for victory in Jesus!
"And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you" (Joel 2:24-25).
God wants to restore those years which have been eaten by the locusts. Let's work together with Him on this!
I pray you find these biblical principles and thoughts helpful in your efforts to save your children and family and even more besides! Let's begin to take that prayerful, sincere, Godly action now!
Blessings in Christ,
Ben Burkhardt