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There is no shortage of catastrophes in the world at this time: famine, earthquakes, industrial accidents, air crashes, wars, assassinations — the list is almost endless. And on a personal level there are sickness and disease, lost jobs, divorces, car accidents, death of loved ones — and the list is again almost endless.

The English word “catastrophe” actually is a Greek word which is used in the New Testament. It means a “down turn”, and we use that term when there has been a catastrophe in the economy. The word was used when Jesus overturned (or down-turned) the tables of the money-changers in the Temple (Matthew 21:12). It is used in II Peter 2:6 of the overthrow (down-turn) of Sodom and Gomorrha, and of false teaching that subverts (down-turns) the hearers in II Timothy 2:14.
For a good example of someone who survived a catastrophe, let’s look at the life of Noah. One would almost think he lived in our times, for his day is described in this way: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:5,11). Jesus said that the same conditions would be evident when He returns again (Matthew 24:37-39). So the Bible is up-to-date!

How did Noah survive the catastrophe of the Flood? There are four statements that give us clues: Noah found grace in the of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). He was said to be just and upright; no one could accuse him of a bad deal. He found grace because of his works — we now find grace as we believe on the work of Jesus Christ. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). It pays to get on to God’s team!

The next clue as to how Noah survived the catastrophe is this: Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:9). This was a continuous walk, and it flowed out of God’s grace in Noah’s life. How can you walk with someone you cannot see? Hebrews 11:7 tells us Noah did it “by faith”. Noah saw with the eyes of faith, and enjoyed daily a positive walk with God. It was both a walk and a talk, for God told Noah what He planned to do and gave Noah details on how to make the ark, an ark of salvation for all the birds and animals and for Noah’s family also.
The ark was about 625 feet long, 104 feet wide, and 62 feet high (taking a cubit as 25 inches). Up until 1850 AD there was no ship in the history of the world as large as the ark. Even up to 1932, less than 1 percent of all ships were as large. Noah’s stay on the ark was one year and seventeen days — quite a voyage when there is no port in sight! God covenanted with Noah that He would look after him and his family, and Noah believed God and got to work.

The third clue is found in this phrase: Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him (Genesis 7:5). It sounds old fashioned, but obedience is the key to surviving a catastrophe. I like the comedy sketch by Bill Cosby, where he has Noah complaining about the workload and the problems with the animals, and every time he mentions it God simply asks, “Noah, how long can you tread water?” The old song says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!”

When the earth was dry, God commanded Noah to leave the ark. So Noah did this, unloaded the animals, and then we find our fourth clue: Noah built an altar unto the Lord (Genesis 8:20). Thanking God for what He is and for what He does for us is a vital part of the Christian life. When Noah offered the burnt sacrifices, God was pleased and made a covenant that He would never again flood the whole earth and gave the rainbow as a sign and reminder of this covenant. “And God blessed Noah… and you shall be fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth” (Genesis 9:1,7).
We too can enjoy abundance and see success as we put God first in our lives. Then we will enjoy an up-turn and not endure a down-turn!