Genesis 6:9 says, “…Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
We live in a generation in America that makes me wonder if we will survive. As long as we have technology we feel safe. If we found ourselves in a cave, hiding from nuclear fallout, the first question for many would be “Do we have cell reception?”
A few years back, in the late 70’s, I was privileged to go on a survival trip with the great evangelist and man of God, Rev. Wayne Lawson. He led us into a wilderness area in the Blue Mountains (Eastern Oregon). He had a guide permit. We went on horseback. Only two of us showed up for the week-long trip. We never did have to live off the land. We were each given a summer sausage, a roll of French bread and some cheese. I smuggled in a handful of small potatoes and some coffee. We did catch a few fish. It was more like a camping trip. Great fun!
When it comes to real survival I think we need to look at Noah’s generation. The men of Noah’s day were killing each other. God said, “the earth is filled with violence” (Genesis 6:13). God was grieved in His heart.
In Matthew 24:37-39, Jesus speaks to the question the disciples had asked Him about His second coming (vs. 3). He compared the end-time generation to Noah’s generation. His main point was that people would not be ready for His return, as they were not ready for the flood.
Preparation for survival is the key to surviving. Hebrews 11:7 states, “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 the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
That verse says a mouthful. We know that God told Noah the exact measurements that the ark should be. Imagine with me for a moment what Noah faced. It appears that Noah had 100 years to build the ark (Genesis 5:32 & Genesis 7:6). I don’t know if he knew that when he started, or if God waited for Noah to finish his work and then bring on the flood. Regardless, Noah had to start building the ark. He had no idea of what an ark looked like. He had to explain it to his sons if they were going to help. I hope they helped. He had to make the first board. I guess it was stick-built. Somehow the wood had to be shaped and measured and fit together. There is piece number one laying on the ground. Now what?
It was humanly impossible to do this. There was no man on earth at the time that could do that job. Noah was able to do it because he had, even before this task, been preparing for survival. As our text says, “…Noah walked with God.”
When we walk with God like Noah did, we will survive anything. Noah walked with God while he was building the ark. What a thrill! “Okay God, what next?” A steady, never ending walk with God saved mankind from being wiped off the earth.
Whatever trip you face, however great the assignment, walk with God. The rainbow will come!
