21:07.

Thank You, thank You, thank You for Noah, for Abraham, for every biblical hero of faith who have gone before in faith and into Your eventual vindication, reward and destiny. I love You, Dad!

From Next Wave.

Build a Boat, Noah

04 March 2006

Hebrews 11:7 '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 comes by faith.' (NIV)

The famed evangelist Oral Roberts has said that, 'faith is living on the edge of insecurity.' Faith heroes always challenge the perceived wisdom. In one way or another, they are not 'normal' by most people's standards. God told Noah to build a boat. 'Great,' said Noah, 'what's a boat?' 'You know,' came the reply, 'one of those things you use when it rains a lot.' Noah was excited, but perplexed. 'Great,' he said, 'what's rain?' (Genesis says there had never been rain to the point in time.) When God told Noah to build a boat, it wasn't a balsa-wood boat-in-a-bottle constructed out in the garden shed. Noah built a supermarket-sized boat in his driveway -- and several other people's driveways. It was huge! Tourists came from miles around to take photographs of 'the fool and his boat'. Noah found favour with God -- and saved his family -- because he refused to be ruled by popular opinion. God declared a flood to world that had never seen rain -- and only Noah was prepared to believe him. Were their moments when Noah felt doubt? Of course. Were there times when Noah wished someone else had received the call? Sure. Nevertheless, Noah was prepared to live with the insecurity. That was what made him a world changer, a planet shaker…

Prayer: 'Dear Father, thank you for the example of people like Noah who are obeyed your call even in the face of ridicule. I want to pursue your call on my life whatever the cost, so please, I pray, trust me, call me afresh even today.'