For if
God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for
judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of
righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 2 Peter 2:4-5
NKJV
Somehow
it seems appropriate that on the day of the Super Bowl, one of the most widely
bet on sporting event in the world, I would like to talk a little bit about
odds. The dictionary defines odds as the
probability that something is likely to occur.
Now most often we hear the term used in relation to sporting events,
especially as a variable in placing a bet or wager. Today, however, rather than using the term to
refer to the Super Bowl, I thought we could talk a little about Noah’s odds and
how they might apply to us as well.
When
talking about the end times, I have found that most are familiar with the
statement of Jesus comparing that period of time with the “days of Noah”. One of the things I have often thought about
is the fact that Noah and his family were outnumbered by roughly eight to the
rest of the entire world. Pretty lousy odds, wouldn't you say? Have you ever
tried to put yourself in Noah’s place and think about how it would feel to be
in that predicament and consider just what manner of abuse you would be
subjected to? Somehow I don’t believe
the reaction of the world was limited to just scorn and laughter.
As
I thought about that this past week, I couldn’t help but think about some of
the more publicized events of the past few months where those who held beliefs
based on the Word of God which were not popular with the rest of the world, were
subjected to not only disapproval but outright hostility. As well, this past week saw performances at
the Grammy awards show which prompted a well known Christian artist to choose
to leave, as well as another to choose not to attend at all. As you might expect, the criticism was not
only swift to follow, but in many cases profane and hateful.
As
I have watched the evolution of this culture of intolerance for those who
choose to follow the teachings of God, and to use the Bible as a guide for
their beliefs and lifestyles, I can’t help but think of Noah and how he and his
family must have felt being surrounded by an unbelieving world. What do you think the odds were that they suffered
abuse and persecution at the hands of those around them? Jesus made a statement during His ministry
which I believe describes, as well as predicts, the situation both Noah and we
as believers today find ourselves in.
“Behold,
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents
and harmless as doves. Matthew
10:16 NKJV
Now
in all honesty, how much comfort do you personally get from that
statement? Living where I do in the
Northwest, I am all too familiar with the subject of wolves, what they are
like, and what the majority of people feel about them. It also goes without saying that it doesn’t
take a lot of imagination to picture the outcome of a meek, tiny lamb being
surrounded by a pack of wolves. Yet this
is what Jesus tells us our lot in life will be like. Not only outnumbered, but placed in a
situation where the rest of the unbelieving world looks at us like their next
meal. Just like Noah?
As
believers, quickly seeing the odds change to the point where we are vastly outnumbered;
don’t you believe that just like Noah we should expect to suffer abuse and
outright persecution at the hands of those who disagree with our values and
beliefs? Jesus told us to be wise in
order to cope with the situation we find ourselves in. My answer to doing that is to look to the
Word of God for guidance and direction and the wisdom to endure what is to
come. What follows is what the Holy
Spirit shared with me this week as I thought about where the Church is today in relation to the world around us.
Expect
to be persecuted.
Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness’
sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile
and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matthew 5:10 NKJV
Expect
to be ridiculed.
And we
labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted,
we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the
world, the offscouring of all things until now. 1Corinthians 4:12-13 NKJV
Expect
to be protected.
Keep me
as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the
wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. They have
closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. They
have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down
to the earth, As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion
lurking in secret places. Psalms
17:8-12 NKJV
Expect
to grow.
Therefore,
having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we
stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in
tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope. Romans
5:1-4 NKJV
Expect
to be blessed.
If you
are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of
glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your
part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:14 NKJV
Expect
to be rewarded.
“Rejoice
and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in
heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12 NKJV
Noah
found the strength to endure when the odds favored the opposition by an
astronomical amount. Just as he found
grace in the eyes of the Lord, and was delivered from God’s judgment on an
unbelieving world, so we too must endure until our Father sends His Son to take
us home. In my opinion, very, very soon.
Keep
watching.
