Catching a Sober Perspective

This is a sober hour for all of us personally, corporately, as a Church, within our society and culture, the list could go on. There is a scripture that stands out to me in this moment of life that Is both concerning yet it moves my soul to lean into sober choices and patterns of thought.

Matt 24:36-51 and Luke 17:26 - 18:8 The Lord gives us a clear word on the day before us and what we will be facing. “As in the days of Noah”! When I think of Noah my imagination goes in so many directions. We think of the spectacle of the Ark and the almost cute stories of the animals filing into the safety of the big boat.

What was really going on in the days of Noah that should mostly capture our attention? What was the message given to Noah that he carried for 120 years that no one heeded? Did his message feel so out of place to the culture and choice of life that no one saw the practical warning that was being given.

So let's cut to the chase with another question I am asking myself these days. Are we approaching the hour of the coming of the Son of Man that will be as in the days of Noah? If so, the message of Noah is more than relevant and should be a sober wakeup of how we should be seeing life and what is affecting our choice of life. There is an hour of blindness across humanity that is not paying attention to the coming judgment or the “ark of deliverance and safety”. Is there an ark being built today that seems impractical at first glance yet will be critical to our understanding and prevailing?

I believe we are given a message today that is founded in our salvation and Sonship that requires deep faith in what seems impractical yet calls us to a choice in life to be courageous and steadfast! I meditate on these scriptures: Not in any progressive order!

• Be alert and on your guard, stand firm in your faith, Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! Let everything you do be done in love! 1 Cor. 16:13-14a.

• Seek Me and live; Seek the Lord and live! Amos 5:4 and 6

• Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest in the Lord and do not fret! Ps 37:1-7

• Do not be Deceived; evil company corrupts good character. Awake to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. 1 Cor.15:33-34

• Who can dwell with devouring fire? Who can dwell with everlasting burning? He who... then he will... Isa.33:14-16

Are we ignoring the Ark that is being built today? There is a place of safety and deliverance from the coming judgment that we are invited to enter! It is not an ark to remove the judgment and challenge of the hour but an ark that will carry us through the turbulence this world is destined for. This is a glorious hour to stand with faith in our Deliverer and see His hand provide all we need to prevail not escape from the judgment this world will face.

Asking ourselves the right question is important! Is there any scripture that does not point us to confidence in the God we have grown to know and love? God the Father has removed all that would hinder the inheritance we are destined for as His Sons through Jesus. In this we can set our primary focus in life, our clear attentions and intentions, on putting our choice in the First commandment First!

When the “flood” arrives will we be confident to enter the ark God has given us blueprints for or will we be distracted in the cares and revelry of life and be caught unaware, ignoring the rising waters?

Out of the 20 reasons (made up number) and benefits of the house of prayer and becoming the house of prayer; having a place and time to keep our hearts and attitudes set on fearing and loving God is an almost impossible value to explain. It must be encountered, I beleive. The Word of God is slapping humanity in the face with the deepest warnings and the greatest encouragement to “Seek Him and Live”! He is our refuge and strength! We must all find our way to the "ARK" and enter with glorious confidence.

A- agreement with what God is saying...

R- revelation; thanking God then asking God to show us more...

K- keep your hear fixed on the promises and truth we are born again into!

Water rushing down a beautiful mountainside can be deceptive in how powerful it is!

Being aware and sober about it can prepare us for what it may bring.