4 March 15
DAY TWENTY
God said to Noah, “It’s all over. It’s the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I’m making a clean sweep. “Build yourself a ship from teakwood. Make rooms in it. Coat it with pitch inside and out. Make it 450 feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. Build a roof for it and put in a window eighteen inches from the top; put in a door on the side of the ship; and make three decks, lower, middle, and upper.
“I’m going to bring a flood on the Earth that will destroy everything alive under Heaven. Total destruction. “But I’m going to establish a covenant with you: You’ll board the ship, and your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives will come on board with you. You are also to take two of each living creature, a male and a female, on board the ship, to preserve their lives with you: two of every species of bird, mammal, and reptile-two of everything so as to preserve their lives along with yours. Also get all the food you’ll need and store it up for you and them.”
Noah did everything God commanded him to do. (Genesis 6:13-22 MSG)
“The Israelite cry for help has come to me, and I’ve seen for myself how cruelly they’re being treated by the Egyptians. It’s time for you to go back: I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the People of Israel, out of Egypt.”
Moses answered God, “But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:9-11 MSG)
One day long ago, GOD ‘s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.”
But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from GOD. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish as far away from GOD as he could get. (Jonah 1:1-3 MSG)
Three men. All spoken by God. Three very different responses.
We sometimes feel God only gives us small tasks we can do. And if we don’t do them well it isn’t that bad is it? God also assigns on occasion large tasks. The above three stories are large tasks.
Noah was told to build a boat and save himself and his family. Moses was told to free his people from the worlds largest empire of the time. Jonah was told to go preach repentance to the scum of the world.
So Jonah took the option on that God didn’t know what he was talking about. No one could love those people so instead of wasting his time visiting them he ran away and decided God could find someone else. Have you ever been asked by God to do something yet you feel it wasn’t something you should be doing so you didn’t do it or even went in the opposite direction?
Moses took the option of questioning Gods choice, he didn’t feel qualified and keep asking God for more help, in the end, he got the help he was seeking but lost out on the blessing God planned for his undivided obedience. Maybe you are doing what God is asking but you aren’t really giving it your all? Making excuses…
Then, Noah, he took everything God spoke to him and applied it. He had an overwhelming task and God knew it and blessed Noah and his family for their obedience.
Is God calling you to do something? Don’t wait to do it. Now is the time, hesitation may cause you to miss out on a blessing God has for you. God wants to us to change the world. Do not be afraid to follow His leading.
Dear Lord, today I will follow your voice. I will not hesitate when You show me direction. Motivate me to go forward in You. Maybe I am feeling self-righteous, unworthy or overwhelmed, I ask that you give me the strength and confidence to fulfil the mission you have called me to, reaching the lost. They matter to you so they matter to me. Amen
50 Days of Pray 