What Is Your Ark?

In the Bible study I am in, we have started a new book called Life Principles from the Old Testament. I am constantly amazed at the new life lessons that God introduces to me everyday! I believe the thought is true that the more you learn about the Bible, the more you realize how much you don’t know.

This week’s lesson was on Noah.  The story of Noah has always been one of my favorites, but yet again, God uses this story to introduce to me lessons I never even thought of. In the story of Noah, I always thought of how God saved Him from so much. And yes He did. BUT, Noah still had to go through the flood – he still had to watch the world get destroyed. He still had to build this ark when people thought he was crazy. He still had to walk through many trials. A quote from the book says:

“Quite often we look to God for deliverance from trouble, yet that is not always His way. Sometimes God determines that He can get greater glory by safely bringing us through trouble rather than avoiding it…God took him through the flood. God does not always deliver us from trouble; sometimes He delivers us in the midst of it. God’s deliverance for Noah didn’t mean that he had no troubles, but that he had God’s provision in the midst of his troubles.”

There have been times when Dan and I would just cry and feel like it has been enough. We just wanted time to stop, to go back, and start the year over. We so badly wanted the pain to go away. But God did not promise a pain-free life. Sometimes it’s hard to think with my human mind that God is getting greater glory through the pain, instead of our kids being born. I sometimes have a really hard time accepting that. But this is the road God has chosen. This is the road God has chosen for us to walk down. In it, all we want is for God to be glorified. God did not stop Noah from experiencing the hardships of the flood. But God provided a way out, a way of safety, and the tools he needed to accomplish the task.

God continues to give us the tools. He continues to bless us with sustaining grace. He continues to give us the joy that is in Him. Does that mean we don’t struggle? No. We do. Sometimes we feel like we don’t have enough tools, but this is because we are relying on our own power – not HIS power.  There is a greater faith that is leading us to eternal joy, that can only be found in trusting God.

Another quote: “It was a new world on the other side of his trial. And that is the way it is when God brings us through the fire.” I loved this word picture. For Noah, it literally was a new world on the other side of his trials. Is that not always the case for those who are in Christ? It may not look or feel like a new world right now, but in the end, the promise of a “new world” always stands firm. The new world, meaning the coming of Christ once again. I think there are things that God can lead us through that help ease the pain and brokenness – like when you come out on the other side of a trial you may be going through. I think God is doing that with us in an earthly form. God is restoring us. He is bringing so much healing. He is creating a “new self” in us. And we continually pray that God continues to show us His will in where He wants us to end up in ministry. All of these changes that have happened over the last few months are creating a new world that we are excited to see. It doesn’t mean a pain-free new world, but changes that bring on new anticipations and eagerness for what God is doing in our life.

I can’t imagine being Noah and building this gigantic ark on dry ground – for like 100 years. Am I that faithful? God is calling each one of us to something – the same calling – to reflect His image. Yet those callings “look” different because He calls us to live it out in different ways or situations. He brings each one of us through unique situations. No trial is the same, yet God’s purposes remain the same – to bring Him glory and to change us. Sometimes we feel like we are building an ark – God has us in a waiting period – we can’t see the future, but we know He is calling us to grow in faith. What is your ark? What is God calling you to be faithful in? What flood are you in? Remember the promises of God – that He will deliver someday. It may not be today. For Noah, the flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights. But God brought Him safely through. And we believe God will do the same for us.

We just have to remain faithful.