GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 13
GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 13 ~ ~ Matthew 24:37~ ~ “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”.
When we read the Book of Genesis, and the other books of the geneologies, we tend to doze off with the long list of ages, births, deaths………..but when we really focus and think about their lives, and what was going on at that time, it becomes fascinating……at least for a short while!
For instance, Adam, Abel, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahaleel, and Jared, the first generations listed (of course there were thousands of others born also) all lived around 800 to 940 years.
But Enoch, the next in line, was taken by God at 365 years, and never died. He was transported directly to the Presence of God, because he “walked with God”. Think of the reactions to that, if anyone saw it. Maybe no one did…………….
One of Enoch’s sons was Methusaleh, whose name means “when he dies, it will come” Since Enoch walked with God, this is apparently God’s name for the boy. It would be interesting to know if Enoch knew what “it” was. Looking back, of course, thanks to the written Word, we know it referred to the flood.
969 years later, Methusaleh died, and that year the flood came………his was the longest life any man ever lived. That prophetic name was fulfilled perfectly. He was alive during all the ark-building process, knowing, perhaps, that when he died, that would be the end. I’m sure his grandson, Noah knew it.
Methusaleh represents God’s mercy. God stretched out the time before the flood so that all that wanted to be saved could be. No one but Noah’s family did.
Now, also, as we live under impending judgment promised in the Word, even now, He is mercifully waiting for all to repent and come to the Lord Jesus as Savior, before He comes in judgment.
He is waiting for all who choose eternal life over eternal punishment, ….joy over torturous regret, to come to Him
Let’s picture the scene of Noah and his sons building the ark. His father, Lamech was alive, His grandfather, Methusaleh was alive, both of whom were believers. There must have been others who believed in the families. All of these, hopefully, preached to the people of that area, and in the entire world at that time. Still, no one would take that step to walk into the ark!
When Lamech named Noah, he chose the name that meant, “This one will give us comfort from our work and from the hard labor of our hands caused by the ground which the Lord has cursed.” You would think someone would be stricken by that message, but, no, not one.
Luke 17:26 tells us that the last days will be like that. Deaf ears, hard hearts. Do we not see that around us even now?
We cannot stop though. We cannot let one person fall because of our neglect, or lack of prayer.
“Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.”
Heavenly Father, please give us the strength, wisdom, and determination to persevere in showing others their need for salvation. It is only by the power of Your Spirit that we can say and do what You determine. Please open minds and soften hearts, to understand the perfect Love You have for the lost.
Thank You for salvation, for Your continuous intercession, and for guiding and caring for us every moment. Because of You and in Your powerful name, we ask these things. Amen
Live in the Light of Our Lord 