What Will Happen When the Rain Comes?

Like most of you, I appreciate the extra rain that we’ve had this summer. And that rain has me thinking of the story of Noah and the flood from the early part of Genesis. This summer, First Baptist, Fairbury is studying some of the early stories in our Bible, so I’d like to revisit this one with you.In the beginning, God created our world and it was good. He made humans to be in relationship with him and to be stewards of the earth’s resources. But by the time we get to Genesis chapter 6, something has gone terribly wrong. There is trouble in creation that is getting worse and worse. The world is corrupt and wicked. The people are full of violence and their thoughts focus on evil. So, contrary to God’s original design, creation had turned away from God’s purposes and the result was a world that was stubbornly resistant to him.As the wickedness of the world gets worse and worse, God decides to do away the people through a great flood. But in Genesis 6, we read of a righteous man named Noah who is said to be blameless and who walks with God. Because of this, God tasks Noah with building a great boat that will house his family and pairs of all the animals of the earth. Through that little life raft of an ark, God will preserve Noah’s family to repopulate the earth. So, Noah builds the ark and prepares for his voyage. And as I think about his construction project, I imagine that Noah received a lot of teasing about his work. I imagine that he was ridiculed and made fun of by his neighbors and literally anyone who saw him working on this project. Yes, Noah was obeying God and preparing for the flood to come. But to the neighbors, Noah’s work surely appeared to be foolishness. So, they went about their ‘business’ of resisting God’s will for them. As Noah anticipated the flood, remember that early in Genesis the earth was watered by underground springs. God had not yet sent rain on the earth and there wasn’t even enough water around to float a boat. So, from the people’s point of view, there was no purpose for a great boat like Noah’s. I imagine they were even looking on, laughing as God led the animals into the ark and then closed the door behind them.But then the springs burst forth and the rains came and came and came. For forty days and nights the rains fell! Noah and his family and the animals were safely in the ark, protected from the waters. And Noah’s neighbors and the other animals – everything that moved on the earth died in the floodwaters. The corrupt people resistant to God were left drowning in their excuses.I could go on with this story and talk about God’s wonderful promise to never flood the earth like that again. I could talk about the sign that God placed in sky – the complete seven color rainbow as a sign of his promise. But I’d like to stop the story with the floodwaters and pose a few questions.When the rains of life come (and they fall on each and every one of us), how will they affect you? Have you followed God’s instruction so that you’re prepared for the rain? And are you assured of your safety because of your trust in God’s son? Or are you more like Noah’s neighbors, enjoying life and living the way that you want? Are you making excuses for not following God and so you’re not prepared for the rainstorms (and more) that will occur? I hope the answer is clear. I hope that you are living in faith, walking with God in obedience and prepared for the storms of life that will eventually develop. Because the rains are coming.Bill PratherFirst Baptist ChurchFairbury

Leroy Niederklein

Kansas Racers Have Hot Weekend At Jefferson County Speedway

Related Articles

Are Marshmallow Peeps the New Pumpkin Spice?

Again

Time Marches On (But I Don’t)

The Year of the Fire Horse