A Rescue Operation
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 24:11-12
Sometimes it feels like I’m watching the whole world run as fast as it can over the cliff of its destruction. Maybe you do too. You are standing along the road, jumping up and down, waving your arms, warning of danger ahead. To those passing by, you appear to be a crazy man. You are a kook. A Jesus freak.
Noah was in your shoes. I was, I assume, deemed the crazy guy who was an eccentric doom and gloomer. Nothing he said was going to happen (at least until it did happen). He was to be ignored or ridiculed, but not listened to and believed. Everyone around him just went on with their lives, “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,” right up until the day Noah entered the ark.
Noah wouldn’t be considered a success if success is measured in numbers alone. Just a handful of earth’s inhabitants were saved from the wrath that fell in the flood. But the measurement of his life isn’t in numerical statistics. He is counted among the great heroes of the faith because he believed God and his belief translated itself into a steady, consistent, faithful obedience to God. Noah preached and called people to repent and believe with him.
The old hymn says, “rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave…” That is what Proverbs 24:11-12 is commanding as well. Yes, there will be many who refuse to be saved. They will go on with life as if nothing is ever going to happen and judgment day will never come. It will be, as Jesus said it would be, just like the days of Noah. And that is on them. But if we excuse ourselves and say, “Behold, we did not know this,” God knows better. And that will be on us.