flood stage
"The waters of the flood came upon the earth." —Genesis 7:10
The earth is being flooded with misery, filth, and violence. Many, especially our youth, are drowning in the world-wide flood. We need Noahs to build arks and fill them with survivors.
We build an ark for people when we lead them to Jesus and baptism. "They had disobeyed as long ago as Noah's day, while God patiently waited until the ark was built. At that time, a few persons, eight in all, escaped in the ark through the water. You are now saved by a baptismal bath which corresponds to this exactly" (1 Pt 3:20-21).
We build an ark when we lead people to holiness in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation (Phil 2:15). "He preserved Noah as a preacher of holiness, with seven others, when He brought down the flood on that godless earth" (2 Pt 2:5).
We build an ark when we walk by faith in a world of fear. "By faith Noah, warned about things not yet seen, revered God and built an ark that his household might be saved. He thereby condemned the world and inherited the justice which comes through faith" (Heb 11:7).
In our world some are going under and are desperately gasping for breath. Others are holding on to floating debris. So many can say: "The flood enveloped me; all your breakers and your billows passed over me" (Jon 2:4). Build an ark, and lead them to Jesus.
Prayer: "Save me, O God, for the waters threaten my life" (Ps 69:2).
Promise: "Do you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of fragments you gathered up? They answered, 'Twelve.' " —Mk 8:19
Praise: Roger lost his wife and children in a flood, but now ministers God's mercy to other families.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Hold Fast to the Faith on audio AV 71-1 or video V-71.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 2006 & September 18, 2006
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.