Hi friend. Today’s post has been a long time coming. A few months ago, I heard the words ‘Build the Ark’ so clearly in my spirit. Since then, I have been repeatedly reminded of this instruction and it’s significance for the time we are in. By the grace and wisdom of God, I had some level of understanding of what this was about and I’m certain this word was not solely for me. I’ve received enough insight on this prompting to understand that it is primarily about obedience to instruction, provision and protection amongst other things. Sometimes, God calls you to build the very thing that will save you — an ark … and you may not know it. I’m very much tempted to get ahead of myself with this post, but I’ll do my best to ease into it and give some context. Fingers crossed, I just might be able to keep this short, sweet, and most importantly, potent. I’ll start by reiterating a few lines I included in Walk With Me for much needed context. Alright, let’s get into it.
“Noah walked with God(Gen 6:9) and in so doing, he was saved from the annihilation which came by flood. But even more to the point, his walk with God is what enabled him to work with God. In Noah’s faithful walk with the Lord, he received very precise instructions from God on what and how to build. His proximity and alignment with God gave him precision because he was able to receive details required to build an ark that would accomplish its purpose. Not only was this ark to be a shelter for him, but it was a haven for his family, their family, and the animals. Because he was in tune with the Lord, he successfully built according to design.”
Extract from WWM Pt 1.
Before referencing the scripture, let’s come down to earth (present day ish) for a little bit. Some time ago, I was praying for the Lord to send me community, and more specifically, a godly accountability group to help me stay faithful with the assignments I had at the time. I’ll spare you a long detailed story and just say that some weeks later, I found myself in an interesting situation in which I was somehow tasked with co-building an accountability group. At the time, I’d completely forgotten that this was something I prayed for. It seemed like this random assignment that fell in my lap until I was scouring through my older journal entries and eyes stumbled upon the bullet point “Accountability circle?” under my prayer list. Just over a month prior to the launch of the accountability group, I had submitted my need and desire for such a community to Him. Now of course, what I had in mind was me joining an already existing and established group, not building one! I was in awe at the realization that God sent my answer to me through me. Very humbling, and just like God. In some ways, that was an ark.
Similarly, I was watching a podcast series hosted by two former business partners in which they did a deep dive into spiritual warfare. I’d been seeing their podcast all over my feeds for a long time, but in more recent times, I actually gave attention to their content as there appeared to be a shift. These men were previously facilitating conversation that seemed not so spiritual grounded, but it’s as though with every episode and God-fearing guest, their hearts were softened and broken for the Lord. While I hadn’t engaged with their older content, the comments section on every new video testified of their growth and transformation, and within a few episodes, I too could see their growth in the things of God. Episode by Episode, I saw a shift. Less cursing, less crude jokes, more curiosity on God’s principles on life, more hunger for the Word, more resolve to starve the flesh. Before my very own eyes, God was saving them with the thing that they built. Genuine repentance was evidently occurring. Not only had this podcast become spiritually edifying, liberating and a tool for deliverance for viewers, it had become that which God used to save the hosts. I wondered if they knew that their ‘yes’ would end up not only saving hundreds of thousands of people, but themselves as well. I believe the podcast was an ark.
“And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it:….” Gen 6:13-15
Hopefully, by now you have some idea of where I’m going with this. While Genesis 6 narrates the events which surrounded the building of a literal ark, the ‘ark’ in the instruction today is symbolic. For Noah, the ark was what God asked him to build to shield him from the consequences of the rebellion and sin happening around him. Due to Noah’s righteousness, he found favour with the Lord and in the God’s mercy, Noah was given instructions to build what would be a literal lifeboat for him amidst judgement in the form of a flood. [Now, I had no intention of coming on here to harp on this point, but I cannot help but highlight this – God is a God of mercy, but He is also one of Judgment and He will not be mocked. I dare say that judgement is impending(and has already begun) and I sense that this is a timely message for some(if not all). That being said, like in the days of Noah and all through the scriptures, for God’s people, there is a promise of protection if you would obey. Do not fear, God is with you.]
Noah’s obedience to build the ark precisely with the instructions given to him by God offered not only him safety, but his family, their family and multiple animals as well. In a time where humanity and life was being wiped out, an entire generation was saved by one man’s obedience, by faith, to build the ark. Matter of fact, not only was that generation saved, but so was ours. His obedience preserved the life of generations to come before they existed. Noah’s case might seem extreme because he was told to build an ark at a time that it had never rained before, but in many ways, I think any man called by God to do something that seems beyond logical reasoning can relate to him. Imagine for a moment if Noah shunned God, where would we be? I don’t know.
The thing… or the ark that God has called you to build carries in it not only the potential to change the trajectory of your life, but of many others. Maybe a whole nation, or a whole generation, or a whole bloodline, a whole industry, a whole sector… you name it. Scripture says eyes have not seen, ears have not heard and the heart of man has not imagined the things that God has in store for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9 paraphrased), and to love Him is to obey Him(Jn 14:15). Have you considered that the instruction could also be for your safety and prosperity? Perhaps the answer to your prayer lies in the execution of His instruction.
Often times, the answer to your prayer lies in the execution of His instruction.
For most of the time that I was pondering on this word, the ‘ark’ in scripture that came to mind was that of Noah until yesterday. Yesterday, I was reminded of another ark we see in scriptures – the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant was God’s idea as a symbol of His presence in the old testament. God gave Moses precise instructions on how to build the ark in Exodus 25, and he told Moses that the atonement cover on the ark would be a place where He gave commands for the people of Israel. So, obedience to one command(building the ark) will make room for other commands. Gosh, this one just hit me now. Could that be the reason why you haven’t gotten your next instruction? Have you acted on the last? Ouu Lord, I digress. Okay, I was trying to get to a point – this ark that God instructed Moses to build was significant in many notable victories we read about today. In Joshua 3, we read about the famous crossing of the Jordan river. The ark of the covenant was held by the priests while the waters parted until all the Israelites had crossed through on dry land. In Joshua 6 — the famous story of the walls of Jericho falling down, the priests carried the ark for 7 days until they eventually shouted and the walls came crashing down. The Ark(that which God has called you to build) is your strategy for victory.
The Ark is your Strategy for victory
“Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.” Deut 11:26-28
This ark of the covenant that the people built was a blessing to them. There is a caveat though, the ark served its function only as long as they were in covenant. As much as the Bible is filled with victorious stories with the ark, there are also scriptures where we see disaster fall upon the Israelites despite their custody of the ark. A classic example of this is in Joshua 7, here we see the Israelites defeated by Ai and when Joshua inquired of the Lord, God pointed to the disobedience of the people and how they had broken the covenant. We see similar disaster occur in 1 Sam 4 & 6, despite the Israelites carrying the ark, they experienced defeat and devastation because they were in idolatry – once again, they had broken the covenant. In 1 Sam 7, when they got rid of their idols and returned to the Lord, they experienced victory. A key lesson from all this is this – God is not obligated to cover you in disobedience. His commands and covenant offers covering.
God is not obligated to cover you in disobedience.
His commands and covenant offer covering.
““The Lord your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands that I am giving you today, doing what pleases him.” Deut 13:18
I’m reminded of this truth – God’s instructions are an act of mercy to us. The benefits of building what God has instructed with God (in covenant) cannot be overstated. Perhaps, if we had the perspective that it was an Ark(promising safety, covering, protection, victory) that we were commanded to build, we might respond differently. And I officially just preached a whole message to myself! God might be providing what you’re asking for through you. It is your obedience that gives you access. May we all receive wisdom, renewed zeal and strength to build the ark and watch God use it to cover and carry us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Start Building.
Your obedience gives you access.
At this point, I’ve said a lot about God saving us by His commands but I need to be clear to dispel the lie that this is all about you and I. It’s easy to get self-centred and build with the wrong motives so, please know that our first priority is God and His kingdom. But also, God is so committed to us that He proves it with every word spoken to us. Yes, the ark He calls you to build may be to save you, but it goes beyond you. It’s for His purpose, His glory, His kingdom, for Him! God saved you in mercy and He saved you for Himself. (2 Tim 1:9).
Before the call to build or to any sort of work, God calls you to Himself so I cannot think of a better time than now to invite you into a loving relationship with Christ our Saviour. If you do not know Him, my goodness, He is the best thing that ever happened to me, and He will be for you too. These are dark times and we need Him now more than ever, but know that this is beyond an earthy fix – this is for eternal reconciliation. God loves you so much that He sent His son to die for you – to pay the penalty of your sins and offer you freedom and eternal life in Him. Scripture tells us that all we need to do is believe in our heart that Christ is risen from the dead, and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and we will be saved. {Romans 10:9}. Accepting this free gift, and accepting Jesus as Saviour and Lord is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Don’t miss another moment without this gift. Take a moment to pray, ask God to reveal Himself to you. Confess your belief, submit and watch Him move.
Dear Lord, I thank you for your child who has just made the best decision there is. I thank you for being a dependable and reliable father. I pray that you will strengthen your child and open the eyes of their understanding as they grow to know you more and more. Beautify their lives and use them for your glory. In Jesus name’, Amen.
Thank you for reading, I hope today’s post encouraged you.
I love you but God Loves You More 💕
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