In the midst of the latest crisis, I was reminded of the story of Noah. God had seen all the evil that the inhabitants of earth had become and regretted creating them. He planned to bring floodwaters and destroy all living things. Yet He found favor with Noah, a faithful and righteous man. He instructed Noah to build an ark and gather pairs of all birds and animals that breathed the breath of life. Keith Green wrote a wonderful song called “He’ll Take Care of the Rest” and rhymed how the neighbors laughed at Noah’s pet giraffe. Noah’s neighbors surely laughed and cast insults at the crazy old man. When the animals started gathering, they must have wondered what kind of zoo Noah was building.
Then it began to rain. At first, the people stayed in their houses. As the waters began to gather, they moved to higher ground. At some point during the next forty days, the higher ground was not high enough. I would suspect that the same neighbors that scoffed were calling out for Noah and beating on the doors wanting in. Noah could have taken an “I told you so” attitude, but being a righteous man, he probably struggled with the pain of what was happening around him. Yet he was faithful and continued to follow where God was leading. Time passed and he was placed back on solid ground.
In the current worldwide chaos, there is panic and fear, driven by those who feel impelled to promote it out of some need of sensationalizing. These reports are balancing against those in power who try to offer solutions to rapid growth of the crisis.
As fear and confusion reverberate in my ears, I turn to the truth of God’s word.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I accept that I fear, but in my weakness, the power of Christ rests on me. Therefore, I set my fear aside and continue to hammer out the ark I am asked to build, trying to offer some calm in the chaos. Yet, surrounded by a cacophonous chorus of doomsday-speak, it is easy to allow fear to creep back in.
Yet, God’s grace is sufficient for me and made perfect in my weakness. Lately, it feels like it is getting closer to perfect every minute.
The sky is not falling but it has started to rain, so keep building, just keep building, whether it be a global crisis or a personal battle that doesn’t make the 24/7 news cycle. Be the crazy old man that hears the voice of God and confidently keeps swinging a hammer. At some point, the masses will see you are working on something special and gravitate your way. I am so grateful that God put a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant of Grace towards us. The door to the ark will not be closed again.
All are welcome to come in from the rain
And be Blessed in Great Measure
