Last week, I was watching a reporter, standing in water in the West Country, commenting that it had been raining for 47 days. He added, “It is almost Biblical proportions”.
Reading the story of Noah again, starting in Genesis 6 verse 9, made me consider what would happen if the rain became heavier and non-stop. Would I be concerned? Living by the sea, but some distance from the seashore, it would be easy to assume I have nothing to worry about. A few years ago, I was fascinated as torrential rain fell, and our street was flooded, and water even started to come up our front path. So should I be more concerned?
I recall a report from the Worcester area, where two men were interviewed standing in their front doorway as the massive volume of water rushed past and entering their homes. To my amazement, when asked how they felt, one said, “It is amazing to stand here and see swans swimming down the main road!” I am not sure I would have been that positive.
Returning to the subject of Noah, I didn’t find any evidence of people mocking him as he built the ark, contrary to the very descriptive storytelling of Sunday School teachers – to name a few. Rather, Hebrews 11 (verse 7) reports that, “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith”.
So, we may not be in such danger, but are we also called to “live in holy fear” and have an effect on people whose lives we touch?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may our desire to live in close communion with You have an impact upon others in accordance with Your will. AMEN