Noah's Ark: Part V - The Invitation Genesis cc. 6-8
Genesis 7:1..."And the LORD said unto No'-ah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."
Several years ago I walked into a place called Civic Development Group, an office for telemarketing and fund raising. There it was my job and responsibility to talk those we called into donating to and for various Fop's ( Fraternal Order of Police ), Fire, and Veteran's causes. As computers dialed each number, I would greet the name of the person on my screen, such as "Hello", pause, Mr. or Mrs. depending on the voice of the one answering, and then go into my pitch. It was a requirement that we
"clearly" state our name and for what we were calling. We would then tell a little about the organization, what the money would be used for, and then
"ask" for them to donate ( always starting with the highest amount ), and sometimes more if they were a previous donor. If they refused, we would rebut a lower amount, until they donated or hung up.
Today in our devotion we pick up with chapter seven and verse one..."...Come thou and all thy house..."
Here we have an invitation to
"come...into". As a telemarketer, we were encouraged to have a strong voice, bold and sound, as a way of projecting confidence in what we were about to talk about or sell. Could you imagine how Noah felt when God said "
COME"! This was his invitation!
You see, Noah, with all the confidence of God had not only been in obedience building the ark, but no doubt was also warning and appealing to mankind to come and prepare for the impending flood. He did this for 120 years ( Gen. 6:3 ). I'm sure there were mockers as again it had not rained on the earth as of yet ( Gen. 2:5, 6 ). Why did Noah do all this, well, he has only seven days left ( 7:4 ).
How about you Christian friend, Pastor, Servant of God? Are you bold in you "invitation" to the lost to prepare for the impending destruction of our world ( Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33; 2 Pet. 3:10 ). Oh! yes, dear friend, God will keep His Word, just like He did in Noah's day ( Matt. 24:27, 37, 39 )
Are you promoting Heaven to those lost, telling of the "street" of gold ( Rev. 21:21 ) , the twelve foundations ( Rev. 21:14 ), the Gates of Pearl ( Rev. 21:21 ). Are we letting them know of the wonderful gift given to us through Christ Jesus ( Jn. 10:10; 2nd Pet. 1:11 ), everlasting life ( Jn. 3:16, 36; 4:14; 5:24: Rom. 6:22 )
My dear friends, what a great responsibility you and I have to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world ( Matt. 28:18-20 ). We must present ourselves
"clearly", purposely, boldly, for the cause which we represent as His children. Imagine with me if you will, as the Scriptures say..."For yet
"seven" days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth..."
What will you do with your "Seven" days?
Hoping that today finds you "In His Grace"