Friday, October 26, 2012

DEVOTION: What Noah Found by Ray Hawkins




Read Genesis 6:1-22

Imagine being on board the ark. Tossed around by the cataclysmic weather outside; feeding the animals; cleaning their stalls for a year and maybe enduring sea-sickness--eight people living in a confined space and dealing with inevitable friction.

All of this after the high pressured work of building the ark, assembling the animals, warning the people and being emotionally drained. Noah found grace but not comfort. He knew security but not idleness. Sadness at the people’s unbelief and judgement would be mingled with gratitude to the Lord for His ark of refuge.

God’s call to Noah was challenging and often unpleasant. It was however worth the price!

Christians know they are saved by Grace. They have found peace with God and safety from Judgement. What hasn’t been promised is a smooth journey. Christ’s words to the original group, still rings true, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33.

The disciples of Jesus are witnesses, spokespersons and co-labourers in the Gospel. All have their gifts and abilities and are placed in various circumstances to be God’s sign-post, helping hand or messenger. His grace is tested in the ruggedness of obedience not the smoothness of the ride. The journey with Jesus will have its high and low experiences but His companionship and the destination makes it all worth while.


Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister. 
He is author of three books of Biblical meditations;
for Children, Marriage, and the Cross. 
Check the website he shares with his wife, author Mary Hawkins.

2 comments:

  1. Just to add to who I am..Now have two other devotinals. One 'Captured by Calvary', Biblical insights about the cross. The other 'Bethlehem's Warrior Baby'. What the Bible says about Christ and Christmas.
    Ray

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  2. Thank you, Ray. This is a perfect analogy to the Christian life. We are eternally saved, but the trip can be trying.

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