Read: Genesis 6:14 -7:16

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22

However great the evil was in those days prior to the flood, we still see God’s mercy extended to mankind. God revealed His plan to send a worldwide flood, and Noah moved with fear and built an ark in response to the voice of God. For many years Noah built this massive boat and preaches repentance. Finally, the ark is finished.  

Some storybooks show Noah outside the ark directing the loading of the animals. He is standing next to the ramp waving the animals aboard. This does not seem to align with Scripture. The Scripture says that God called Noah into the ark, indicating that God was already there. “Come thou,” God says (Genesis 7:1). 

Then the Scripture records that God directed the animals to go to Noah into the ark (vv. 7-9). God extended His mercy another week as the animals began coming. Noah and his sons coordinated the loading and organized the animals after they were aboard. They did this in a very orderly fashion since God directed them.  

God warned the people with a preacher who was convinced that God had spoken to him, and he was building an ark to prove it. God also worked miracles in front of the people’s eyes by causing the exact number of every kind of animal to walk into the ark. When the last animal was inside, there was still time for anyone outside watching to board. Then at last God shut the door.  

Will we be like Noah who experienced God’s mercy, or will we be like those who ignored His call? Let’s enter while the door of His mercy is still open.                

~ Harold R Troyer