Being a co-worker with God is a fantastic blessing and only occurs because of His grace. 2 Corinthians. 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.[1] Paul tells us not to waste the precious opportunity to work with God as a believer.
We live in a world where people often want to work with significant people or join a major organization. As co-workers with God, we can work with the creator of the universe, who is all-knowing. God does not need our help to carry out His plan for humanity but engages us because, in this way, we can learn and grow. As we walk with Him along our spiritual journey, we are lifetime apprentices to the Lord.
In the story of Noah, we find a righteous man amid the sin and violence on the earth. Due to the sin of the people, God decided to wipe out humanity and begin again with Noah. God could have sent His angels out to destroy wicked people, but instead, He chose to bring a flood. The Lord asked Noah to do something he had never done before to survive the flood: build an ark.
God Gave Noah Instructions to Build the Ark
As Noah listened to God, He gave him instructions on how to build the ark. The project size must have seemed overwhelming, but Noah knew he was working alongside God. There is something about working with someone that makes the most difficult possible.
Genesis 6:13Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.[2]
As Noah built the ark, he is called a preacher of righteousness in 2 Peter 2:5 as the Lord again involves him in ministry to the people. Building the ark was like a giant object lesson that scholars believe took 120 years to complete based on Genesis 6:3. We think Noah also preached to the watching people as he built the ark. It had not rained to this point in history which gives us insight into the great faith in the heart of Noah.
Working Together with Christ
There is something of great worth that comes from work, and the Lord calls us to be workers with Him. God’s plan for our life is not for ease and comfort but to do things together with Him. The Lord is particular that we are to be about His work. Instead of asking God to help us with our work, we need to find out what God’s work is and help Him.
For Noah, God’s work was to build the ark, and he and his family would be the workers on God’s project. To find out what God wants us to do, we must be in a relationship with Him and listen to His voice. As we respond to His guidance and direction, He will involve us in His work. What a fantastic privilege and responsibility that is.
To learn more about being a co-worker with God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-in-a-faithless-world
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Co 6:1). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ge 6:13–16). (2016). Crossway Bibles.