It’s Time to Build an Ark
1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
This is a message for men, and in particular, fathers. We live in a dark and evil day where cultural tides are rising rapidly, leaving many fathers wondering how to keep their families from sinking. The pressures of a compromised world that is steeped in apostasy can make godly fatherhood feel like an impossible task. Yet, the scriptures remind us that darkness is no match for a father who walks with God.
The story of Noah provides a powerful message for modern fathers. By looking at the life of Noah, we find a timeless blueprint for how a father can stand strong against the rising tide of evil, and build a spiritual sanctuary that endures the storm.
Noah lived in a time of great wickedness and perversion . . .
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” Genesis 6:5-7
Mankind had ruined the earth, and God had had enough! He was grieved that He had made man, and determined that he was going to destroy mankind from the face of the earth. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and God told Noah to build an Ark, that he and his family should survive the coming flood.
NOAH’S CHARACTER
Why did Noah find grace in the eyes of the Lord? Because he was a man of character and integrity. He walked with God, and was obedient. He lived in a time of complete indifference and rebellion toward God, yet he was faithful.
“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Genesis 6:22
Noah exemplified what a godly father should be. A father’s strength does not come from his own power, but from daily fellowship with God, and walking in obedience to Him. Noah was laser focused on doing what God said to do, and that is how we ought to be. We too must prioritize God’s Word, and teach it to our children.
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children . . .” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
Noah lived in a world that was hostile toward God, and it is the same for us today. Today’s fathers feel an almost overwhelming pressure. They worry about the cultural currents, media influences and social pressures facing their children.
But if we will be as Noah — if we will be men of integrity, if we will walk with God, if we will hear His Word, trust Him and obey — we will be alright. Even if the world around us is falling apart, our family will be secure because we are following God’s blueprint for our survival, and we will thrive, and be blessed.
BUILD AN ARK
Fathers, it is time to BUILD AN ARK! Save your sons and daughters! Create a safe haven where you and your family will be saved through the storm.
“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.” Hebrews 11:7
In holy reverence, Noah prioritized the safety of his family. The Ark was a physical boundary between his family and a dark and destructive world.
Like Noah, the fathers in Israel must also do their utmost to build a shelter — an Ark of protection — for their family, to protect them from worldly corruption. And they must build this Ark according to the blueprint given to us in God’s Word — Love God and keep His Commandments.
NOAH’S LEGACY
After Noah had built the Ark, he and his entire family entered into that Ark. A lot of effort went into that Ark, a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears. It’s not easy building an Ark, and it is not always appreciated, but in the end, Noah’s entire family entered into the Ark and were saved from destruction.
“And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. . . And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. . . And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.” Genesis 7:1, 5, 7
Because Noah stood strong, and persevered — through much effort, time and prayer — his entire household was preserved alive!
CONCLUSION
Building an Ark takes daily effort and grit. It means saying NO to cultural trends that you know will harm your children, and standing firm. And it means saying yes to consistent, daily instruction in righteousness, and godly, loving leadership.
May God help us so to do.
