by Danny B. Smith, Purple Ark Ministries

© Copyright Reserved  October 15th 2008

Fill His Ark

Casting off in a leap of Faith Hebrew 11:1-7

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 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 that which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

I think of the years past when I had to adjust my life to the circumstances that God had committed me to. In the book of Hebrews Noah was warned of the things to come. In an act of faith and obedience, he prepared his family for the unseen events that would take place. This devotional is a 7 part series. The first part is about "Acting Out of Faith" . One of the most difficult challenges is remaining faithful when it doesn't fit into the principles of reality. The writer in Hebrew's declared that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The word of God defines faith as the foundation of everything we do.

Let us put ourselves in the place of Noah. Imagine directing and organizing a plan that has never been executed. The instructions that God gave Noah could only be done by blind faith. Can you see yourself trying to convince two of anything to follow you into a giant boat? The fear that comes to my mind is the thought of going into the jungle to recruit two hungry tigers and a couple of man eating lions. I truly believe that the test of Peter's faith in Christ was similar to Noah's trust in God. Every day we are faced with decisions that are answered based on the practical nature and circumstances that we are faced with. How did Noah keep his focus during this overwhelming process? What did he do when the numbers did not add up? Did he panic and lose faith? We know that God's will is perfect, so what do we do when things look impossible. Your answers may differ, but I believe we must continue the mission even though it looks like we are going to fail. The journey that God sends us on is sometimes exhausting and divisive. When we are pursuing God, we are sometimes put in a situation that challenges us to go right or go wrong. Doing what is right may cause us to separate in order to continue building God's perfect plan.  I believe that Noah's faith was tested by a physical reality. There was no water for the Ark which God asked Noah to construct. Everything was being built on a belief that something extraordinary was going to take place. What would you do if you were called to build something that didn't fit into your practical thinking? What would you do if you were asked to prepare an ark to feed five thousand families?

Personal Note: This year Purple Ark Ministries has launched a campaign to feed 5000 families. In this holiday season we have identified five at risk communities. We need every reader to take a  LEAP of faith and help this cause. Start your own “Fill His Ark” Project (Link)FILLHISARK . Collect items in twos of can food and all other non-perishables. Deliver your collection to a Purple Ark Mission Center. We will use these gifts to minister to the poor communities.

“Today His Ark is being filled by faith”

Prayer

Send us dear God!  Send us into a valley of the poor and lost!  Teach us how to honor you by serving the emptiness around us.  Teach us the steps of Christ as he fed the 5000 who were hungry.   Send us a miracle that will overflow into the valley of hopelessness.   Teach us how to love our neighbor with your heart.  Teach us Dear God! Teach us!  Send us into the places of plenty. Bless us with more that we may give more.  We love you Lord, We love You!  We want to be just like you.  Amen