Some Assembly RequiredSample

There was vile wickedness all about Noah. Yes, God had chosen Noah and his family to weather the storm. But this project came with a Some Assembly Required stamp on it. And this was going to require a little more than a hex wrench!

What was it that qualified Noah for exemption from destruction by flood?

“Noah was a righteous man [one who was just and had right standing with God], blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked (lived) [in habitual fellowship] with God.” [Genesis 6: 9 AMP]

In the midst of a totally depraved culture, Noah:

1. Was a righteous man

2. Was blameless in his evil generation

3. Walked in habitual fellowship with God

Righteous—right-standing; Noah conscientiously placed himself beneath the Lordship of a Holy God.

Blameless—Noah wasn’t without sin, but because of his indestructible faith in God, he was without fault.

Walked in Habitual Fellowship—It was his constant care to conform himself to the will of God, to please Him, and to approve himself to God.

Before we get buried in all of the historical accuracy and scientific menagerie of this massive experience, I want to zero down to the crux of this entire account and that is found in Genesis 6, verses 11-15, again in the Amplified Version:

11 The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. 12 God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.

13 God said to Noah, “I intend to make an end of all that lives, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I am about to destroy them together with the land. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, compartments) and coat it inside and out with pitch (bitumen). 15 This is the way you are to make it:

Herein lies the fact of the matter: the world was off its rails—reeling from the ramifications of sin and all its temporary pleasures—and Noah was not off his rails.

Why is this context so important to us today? Jesus said, “And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the time of the second coming of the Son of Man.” (Luke 17:26 AMP) The Second Coming is when Christ returns physically and rules on earth…which, by the way, is on the other side of the Rapture of the Church!

The Rapture is when Jesus comes for His Church. The Second Coming is when Jesus comes with His Church.

Paul wrote in Romans 1, using very descriptive language that could be used on the front page of our newspapers today to describe the society in which we are raising our children and grandchildren. Jesus is coming very soon, but there is still some assembly required. Each of us has to make the decision as to whether or not we will build a boat of safety for ourselves and for our families.

Some assembly required. God said, “I will spare you, but you must, by faith, build the boat.”

Tomorrow we will unpack the purpose of faith, the power of faith, and the practical requirement of faith warranted to obey God's instructions for our own families.

Dig a Little Deeper

Take a few moments right now to allow the weight of Christ's soon return to rest on your heart and mind. Are you ready? Is your household ready? There's never been a better day than today to get things right between you and Jesus. His return is soon-approaching, and He's coming for those who are looking for His appearing. Let's get ready!