In the back yard of a house in one of the suburbs of that great city of London stands something that you would never expect to see there at all. It is a boat, and it just about fills that little back yard. There it has stood for quite a long time, some distance from the river or sea. I have passed by it many times, and it has often reminded me of another boat which was built long, long ago, and which stood on dry land far from the sea. Yes, you may have guessed, it has reminded me of the ark which was built in the days of Noah.
The boat of which I speak has remained in the back yard while some alterations have been made on it, and there has been added a superstructure to cover it and to protect the occupants from the wind and the rain. All the work on this boat has been going on for many months, and I suppose that when at last it is finished, the boat will be moved somehow down to the nearest river or to the sea.
The ark which Noah prepared according to God’s instructions took a very, very long time to make, and there it stood for all to see while it was being built. Many must have been surprised to see how much time Noah spent preparing that ark, and that all his life seemed devoted to that work. I have no doubt that many people laughed at him and mocked him as he worked, but it made no difference to him. God had warned Noah of a terrible flood of waters that would come upon the earth, and he believed God and obediently carried out all God’s instructions down to the smallest detail.
At last that ark was finished, and there it stood with its only door, wide open for all who wished to enter. God then invited Noah and his family to enter—which they did—and the ment came when they and the animals were inside and God shut the door. What a solemn moment that was, dear reader! Just think of it. Just a few people inside, but many, very many, were shut out, with no possibility of getting in. I feel sure that when the flood came, many wanted to get inside, but it was too late, and they were overwhelmed by the judgment. Those who were inside were safe from those storms of judgment, and as the waters rose higher and higher the ark rose above and upon those very waters.
This story is a solemn warning to us in our day. God’s Word warns us of a judgment that is surely coming upon this world, and yet it tells how God has provided a way of salvation through the work of His own beloved Son upon Calvary’s cross. All who believe in Jesus are safe in His arms and will never come into judgment. (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). But the Bible also says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3). Oh, my dear reader, whoever you are, may I plead with you not to neglect this great salvation, but to enter now before it is too late, through the door which is open for you. When the Lord Jesus returns for His own the door will be shut. (Matthew 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)). All those left outside will be shut out forever. What a solemn and awful thought! But now is the day of salvation, and the Lord Jesus says,
ML 09/19/1954