Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, Ephesians 6:13

As pleasant as life may be, we need to recognize that we live on a fallen earth and consequently, susceptible to disaster.  It is quite unsettling but that’s the reality of sharing this earth with Satan and his cohorts.  However, despite the circumstances, our situation here on earth is not hopeless all because of Jesus Christ.  He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly; he came to set the captives free; to open blind eyes; to enlighten and give hope and strength to the weary.  What a privilege!

With all of the privileges we enjoy through God’s grace, let us make the most of those benefits and live as children of the Most High God—undefeated. We must utilize all of our God-given rights to the maximum in order to live a victorious life.  Even though we are God’s children, victory is not automatically guaranteed.   Preparing ourselves spiritually (in advance) to cope with unpleasant circumstances is a pre-requisite for victory.  We must learn to build the ark before the storm comes. 

PREPARATION

To prepare ourselves, we must put on the whole armour of God at all times and maintain our spiritual arsenal very well. As you prepare for the unknown, keep in mind that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.  We can only overcome evil spiritually (with God’s intervention); because

“we do not wrestle against flesh, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”.  

To build a durable ark, we need the following materials and instructions. If we comply with these instructions, then when the storm comes, we will just float along while people expect us to go under:

FAITH 

Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We must unwaveringly accept the existence of a one true God and believe in his power.  It is imperative that we trust in his holy word and claim all of his promises.  For his word will never return void.  Faith is a good repellent for all of the lies and attacks of the enemy.  Ephesians 6:13  - Above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

KNOW THE WORD OF GOD

“The word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword”. Know the word of God. Immerse yourself in it daily. Fill your spiritual arsenal with scriptures.  It is pathetic that some arsenals are so poorly maintained to the extent where you can’t even find common bible verses like John 3:16 or Genesis 1:1 in them.  You must memorize scripture so that as the storm rages, you will remember the promises of God and be comforted. Moreover, when Satan comes with his lies, you can silence him by quoting scriptures.

You have to quote scriptures to ward off the enemy.  When the devil tells you that you will never get healed, tell him that according to the word of God, “by his stripes you are healed.” When the enemy tells you that your finances will never increase and you will never be able to make ends meet, tell him that “your God owns all the cattle on a thousand hills and that he shall supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Always have some scripture to sock it to the devil.  When Satan tempted Jesus (the nerve); Jesus did not waste anytime with him.  Jesus did not argue with Satan. He was not arrogant either—asking the devil, do you know who I am and so forth. Jesus let the Word do the talking.  He quoted scriptures and the devil fled.

You can’t wait to get knocked down by trouble before searching for scriptures to comfort yourself; misapplying scriptures and making desperate declarations like; “God is not a man that he should lie”, God will never suffer the righteous to be moved, I know my God will provide, and blah, blah, blah.  Oh, so you know the scriptures, huh? Good! Then tell me, my friend, why are you just hustling for materials to build your ark; especially in the midst of a storm.  With all of the scriptures you are now quoting, it is quite surprising that you never came across; 1 Peter 5:9: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  It’s a pity that a “Great Bible Scholar” (like you) is now being devoured.

You may claim to know the Bible from Genesis through Revelation but if you don’t apply the word to your life, it is useless. Practice what you read.  If you can’t make a difference in society or if your neighbor or co-worker can’t tell whether you are a heathen or a Christian, then what are you doing with God’s word? What will it profit you to know the whole bible and yet it does not a have an impact on your life?

STAY IN CHURCH

Hebrews 10:25 :  “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Go to church regularly.  You can’t walk alone; you need support. You need to have an oil change often and enough fuel to keep you going as a Christian.  

Some people hardly attend church or bible study when all is well.  Now because the storm is raging and they are sinking, all of a sudden they can now hear the church bell when it rings. Even when it is not ringing, they still hear it—trying so hard not to miss one church service.  Every church drum that beats, they are there; and on time too. Can’t wait to go up for prayers—just to have someone lay hands on them and prophesy about their situation.  They camp out at Prophet Churches looking for comfort and solution to the storm. Oh my friend, why didn’t you do all of this beforehand? It would have made a big difference. Now you are being swept away by the storm and desperately grasping at whatever object or source of comfort you can find to keep you afloat.   If you had built your ark in advance, you wouldn’t be so desperate now.

BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH GOD

You are a solider in the army of the Lord; which is good but don’t be complacent with the rank of a Private. Be a high ranking officer with many medals. Just keep sin out of your life, live righteously and you will be in good standing with God. 

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Make prayer a daily routine.  Have a quiet time with the Lord. Force it into your schedule. Don’t wait to have your back up against the wall before getting on your knees. Praying in the midst of a storm is good but it is not really effective.  How will you concentrate when the storm is raging—when your knees and everything else around you are shaking?  Here you are nervously praying with one eye open—looking to see if the storm has not knocked your roof off yet.   How can you fight to win when you are severely wounded and disturbed? You can’t do battle when you are already suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, you know. What will they diagnose you with after? The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing. Fortify your life with prayers. Pray for protection against storms or snares. Pray for strength and wisdom to deal with the storms, should they come anyhow. Pray about everything.  Pray! 

WHAT IT TAKES   

Focusing on building the ark in advance, let us take a look at the story of Noah and the Ark. Let us observe Noah’s character. What kind of man was Noah; what qualities did he possess?  To begin with, 1) he was a righteous man.  2) He had faith in God, 3) he was obedient and 4) he was not a procrastinator; to name a few. Noah’s character pleased God very much that was why God chose him to build the ark and saved him from the flood.

When God told Noah to build the ark, he did not portray himself as a “know it all” person.  He did not lean unto his own understanding. Neither did he try to argue with God about the project—to figure out the logic behind it, and so forth. Whether it made sense to him or not, he built the ark inland as he was instructed to.  Further, he did not procrastinate.   He gathered all of the animals as soon as possible and put them into the ark.  Please note:  Noah did not wait until the storm to build the ark; he did not wait to feel the first drop of rain. Neither did he look around to see if other people were building arks too—trying to fit in.

Whether Noah looked like a lone idiot or not, he remained focused on completing his project.  He worked on his project everyday in the midst of ridicule.  Everyday his neighbors taunted him and entertained themselves just by watching him carry out his seemingly insane project.    Regardless, he unwaveringly carried out God’s instructions and built the ark.  He knew where his directive came from—from the all knowing God. At the appointed time, the Ark was completed and the storm came. Now, who had the last laugh?

WE ALL HAVE BEEN TOLD TO BUILD AN ARK

Noah was not the only person who had been warned about an imminent storm, you know.   We have been warned about storms as well.  Jesus warned us in the bible that there would be storms; trials and tribulation; that we would suffer for his name sake.  He gave us instructions on how to prepare for trouble just how God gave Noah instructions on how to build the ark.   The apostles also instructed us on how we should build our arks and a description of who we would be fighting against—spiritual wickedness in high places.

Believe it or not, Christians, we are at war! Please build your Ark before the storm. Put your materials together and begin to build.   Keep wearing the full amour of God at all times.  Do not wait until the storm comes to try to locate your amour. The armour of God should be a part of us.  A good soldier never goes to war without his weapon; worst of all, not knowing how to use his weapon.  If we expect to engage in battle at any time, then we should be prepared.  We can’t wait until we are attacked before locating and putting our weapons together—trying to figure out which ones to use on the enemy and so forth. 

BUILD THE ARK IN ADVANCE ANYHOW

Some “know-it-all” people feel that because they are on “dry land” or all is well with them, there is no need to build an ark or prepare for trouble beforehand.  Their contention might go like this: Why all the paranoia? Why build an Ark when there is no storm; especially inland? I just don’t get it!  Why prepare for trouble when all is well?  Why keep going for annual checkups when you are in good health? In fact, why get health insurance or any kind of insurance for that matter? Why read my bible and memorize scriptures when the bible is always available.  As a matter of fact, it is the Pastor’s duty to read it and tell us about it on Sundays.

Whatever the contention is, it is important to build the ark before the storm comes—before trouble begins.  It is a foolish venture to start building when the storm arrives.  Here you are running for shelter, at the same time searching for supplies and building the ark.  I see nothing but chaos and the repeated negligence of the five foolish virgins. Do not be like the “Five Foolish Virgins”.  Don’t wait for the Bridegroom to arrive before finding oil for your lamps. Be prepared!  Put oil in your lamp and keep it burning even when it is not yet dark.  

Whether you like it or not, storms will come; hell and high water too—Hey, we live on a fallen earth! Regardless of whatever comes your way, do all you have to do to stay afloat.  Having done all to stand, stand therefore. The Lord is your strength . Build your Ark in advance.  Keep wearing the full amour of God.  Know the word of God!  Learn it! Speak it! Live it!  Be victorious! You are a child of the almighty God.  Live like one! 

Arway Sayeh-Swepson -  2008