Where Is Noah’s Ark?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NKJ
On July 5th of 2006, National Geographic released a story that suggested they may have found the evidence of Noah’s Ark. Most hunters of the remains of the Ark had been looking in Turkey on Mount Ararat. But National Geographic points to rock formations in the mountains of Northwestern Iran. In the story’s photo display, they show a rock formation that does look incredibly like petrified wood. Cross sections of this were examined and appear to have wood cell structures. With other ancient artifacts and evidence, they made their case that this could be Noah’s Ark.
Of course, others still believe it will found on Mount Ararat, and another expedition will be planned. We all think it would be great if such an artifact from the Old Testament would be found. And it would be stunning if such was the case. The reality is that for believers it does not matter if any of the Biblical artifacts so desperately hunted for (Noah’s Ark, the Holy Grail, Ark of the Covenant, Shroud of Turin, etc.), are ever found or proved to be true. For we need no physical evidence to support our faith. By definition that is not faith!
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is believing God’s Word, even when there is no natural evidence to support it. No matter what life’s experiences tell you, you believe the promises of God. Understand this; without faith, hope is nothing more than a wish. For the believer, “hopes” are the things we know should be true. Faith is the force that pushes that hope from a spiritual reality to a physical, substantive reality. Faith (based on the Word) gives strength and endurance to that hope and allows you to advance to victory, even through circumstances that had appeared hopeless.
We would all rejoice if the secular realm confirmed the existence of Noah’s Ark, for that would mean that they would have to give credence to the Word. But you and I don’t need such confirmations. We have faith from on high to sustain us and fashion our hopes into realities.
J Todd Hostetler