Rebuilding the Ruins #lent#day3
Nehemiah tells the story of the rebuilding of the ruins. The cross is our reminder that there is always hope beneath any rubble or ruin– we just have to watch and wait for the rebuild.
Have you ever had one of those moments when you sense God whispering that He has something for you to do, but you just want to ignore Him?
I wonder what it was like for Noah when God came to him and told him to build a boat. Not just a simple rowboat. A boat big enough to house two of every living creature on the earth, plus his family.
I went on a cruise once. It was very calm seas, yet I was seasick the entire time. Heaven help, if there had been a storm, they would have had to tranquilize me. My favorite thing about that cruise, though—the towel animals on the bed every night.
I imagine there were no cutesy towel animals placed on Noah’s and his wife’s bed every night by the cabin steward. I am not sure how good the all-you-can-eat buffet was, but I imagine it was quite stinky with all of those animals roaming freely about. Cruise ship meets zoo.
Noah was obedient to God’s direction and plan for salvation for his family. Genesis 6 through 9 shares the story of God using the ark as a vessel of salvation for Noah and his family.
God has a plan of salvation for us. His vessel of salvation is the cross. It started in a cradle when Jesus came to earth as a baby and led to the cross, where Jesus died for us.
I am beyond grateful that Jesus was obedient to this plan of salvation. “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in the human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 1:6)
Noah was obedient. Jesus was obedient. Will I be obedient to what God has for me?
I not only want to have faith in the cross of Jesus for my salvation, but I want to live in obedient faith for my daily life. (click to tweet)
I want my life to count. Let’s come alive at the cross today, asking for obedient, bold faith to follow Christ wherever He leads.
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Digging Deeper: Read the stories of some others in the Bible who walked in great faith. Check out Hebrews 11, and read about some of the members of the Hall of Faith. Ask God what obedient steps of faith He is calling you to take.
Truth to Come Alive: Today child, hold fast to the confession of your faith. Don’t waver. Risk. Even when that to which I am calling you seems impossible or seems to make no sense. I am faithful to My promises (Hebrews 10:23). Take up your cross and follow Me, for whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matthew 10:38).
Ps: Friends, after prayer, I will not be posting on Saturday’s and Sunday’s during Lent. Coming Alive at the Cross does have a daily Bible reading for every day of Lent if you want. I just wanted to also take time to savor the Lent season slowly myself. Will be back with you on Monday.