Thursday, March 03, 2016

DJD303 - Noah's Way

Read More Daily Jesus
Scripture: 

Hebrews 3:14

Starting Question:

Have you ever waited too long for something?

Noah's Way

** Continued from Seven Days yesterday **

Peter compared Noah’s neighbours to the people today. “They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed” (2 Peter 3:5-7).

The rain started, as it often does, in slow drips. The drops became fatter and faster. In mere minutes, the water was all around them. It didn't just come from above— huge geysers of water from beneath the surface burst forth.

Soon trees, buildings and all of creation was uprooted and swept into the chaos.

Noah and his family watched in sorrow as the people—which included many of their friends and family— began to panic. Some ran to the hills to flee the rising water. Others ran to the ark—too late—banging on its sides and begging to be taken in. But the door had closed. Noah had called and they had rejected the truth, and thus rejected God. Now, they acted only out of the same selfish nature that controlled them before.

For 40 days and nights, the water from above and below merged to drown the land of the living. After a year, the water subsided enough for Noah and his family to exit the lifesaving vessel, and resume life on earth once again.

Both Noah and God gave each other a gift that day. Noah built an altar and worshiped God, while God set a rainbow in the sky as a reminder that He would never again flood the entire earth.

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26, 27). Only this time—the water will be fire. The earth, wicked yet again, will be purified once more.

But this time the devil, who feared for his life in the flood but survived, will be destroyed—and his angels with him.

As in Noah's story, the outcome for those who accept God will be very different from those who reject Him.

Those who believe will resettle here on earth, to a life without sin. Evil will be no more. And the sign of God's promise will not be a rainbow but the very presence of God Himself. “Look, God's home is now among his people! ...

God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:3-4).

God waits only for you to make your choice. God has plans for you—a future and a hope. Will you soften your heart and enter His salvation? The door is still open.


Reflection Question:
What is your favourite thing to imagine about Heaven?

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

Further Reading:
To Be Like Jesus, Page 71

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