"Driven By Faith" by Dr. Kenneth Sullivan Jr. (08/03/2025)

Driven by Faith: Building Your Ark in Uncertain Times

In a world filled with distractions and uncertainty, how do we stay focused on our divine purpose? The story of Noah provides a powerful example of what it means to live with audacious faith - a faith that dares to believe and act on God's promises, even when they seem impossible.

Hebrews 11:7 tells us, "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."

Noah's journey teaches us three crucial lessons about living a life driven by faith:

1. The Power of Revelation

Faith begins with hearing from God. For Noah, it was a direct message about an impending flood - something he had never seen before. In our lives, God may speak to us through His Word, prayer, circumstances, or that still small voice within. The key is to cultivate a close relationship with God, allowing us to discern His voice amidst the noise of the world.

Just as God gave Noah specific instructions for building the ark, He has a unique plan for each of our lives. This plan often stretches beyond our personal comfort, calling us to build something bigger than ourselves - something that will benefit others and glorify God.

2. The Response of Faith

Noah's response to God's revelation was nothing short of remarkable. He began building an enormous boat in a place where it had never rained. His actions seemed foolish to those around him, but Noah persevered, driven by his unwavering faith in God's word.

This teaches us that faith is not just about believing - it's about acting on that belief, even when it doesn't make sense to others. As the saying goes, "Faith is built for the deep seas. It pushes out where she can neither see the shore nor fathom the depths."

Noah built the ark from scratch, without modern tools or technology. Similarly, God often calls us to build things from scratch in our lives - be it a business, a ministry, or a personal transformation. This process of creation pulls things out of us we didn't know we had, developing new skills and strengths along the way.

3. The Reward of Faithfulness

For 100 years, Noah worked on the ark, facing ridicule and doubt. But when the floods came, his faithfulness was vindicated. God not only saved Noah and his family but gave him 300 more years of life after the flood. This reminds us that our best days may still be ahead, regardless of what storms we've weathered.

The rainbow that appeared after the flood was God's promise never to judge the world by water again. It serves as a beautiful reminder that our trials often lead to God's most precious promises. As the saying goes, "No cross, no crown."

Applying Noah's Faith to Our Lives

Living with audacious faith in today's world requires us to:

1. Stay Connected to God: Cultivate a close relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and listening for His guidance. This connection is crucial for discerning God's voice and receiving His revelations for our lives.

2. Think Bigger: God often calls us to build something larger than ourselves. Are we limiting God's vision for our lives by thinking too small?

3. Act on God's Word: Faith without action is dead. When God speaks, we must be ready to move, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone or facing ridicule from others.

4. Persevere Through Challenges: Building anything worthwhile takes time and effort. Don't be discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. Keep your eyes fixed on God's promises.

5. Expect God's Rewards: Trust that God will honor your faithfulness. The best may be yet to come in your life.

6. Be Prepared for God's Judgment: Jesus warned that the end times would be like the days of Noah, with people distracted and unprepared. Stay vigilant and anchored in your faith.

A Wake-Up Call for Our Times

The story of Noah serves as a wake-up call for our generation. In a world filled with distractions and increasing wickedness, we are called to be like Noah - building our "arks" of faith and righteousness, even when it seems foolish to those around us.

This call to faith is not just about personal salvation. Like Noah's ark, which saved not only his family but also the animals, our faith should have a positive impact on the world around us. We are called to be beacons of hope and vehicles of God's saving grace in a troubled world.

The church, imperfect as it may be, remains a crucial "ark" for our times. Just as Noah's ark contained a diverse array of creatures (with all their mess and odors), the church is a place where imperfect people come together under God's grace. It's not always pretty, but it's where God's presence dwells and where we find safety and community in turbulent times.

In conclusion, living a life driven by faith means daring to believe God for the impossible, acting on His word even when it doesn't make sense, and persevering through challenges with our eyes fixed on His promises. It means building something that will outlast us and impact generations to come.

As we navigate the uncertainties of life, may we, like Noah, be found faithful - building our "arks" with audacious faith, trusting in God's plan, and ready for whatever storms may come. For in the end, it's not about the size of our faith, but the size of our God. And He is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine.