This morning my husband and I were talking about the devastating flooding in Houston and surrounding areas in Texas and Louisiana. My husband said that there are reports that people are beginning to panic and some violence is ensuing. It brought to mind, for me, the account of Noah and his family in Genesis 7:13-23 when God sealed them in the Ark.
Only Noah, his family, and two of all breathing flesh (male and female) were saved from the flood that destroyed all of the rest of mankind. Here is the account:
On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark, they and every beast, according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kinds, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, according to its kind, and every bird, according to its kind, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the LORD shut him in. The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died.
He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. Genesis 7:13-23 (ESV)
Sadly I began wondering what Noah and his family witnessed once God had sealed the Ark? I imagine that when it first began to rain the people outside of the Ark were still making fun of Noah and badgering him. They probably continued to dance around, party, and actually enjoy the rain, as it had not rained for a very long time. I can even imagine them lifting their goblets of drunkness to Noah and his family — taunting them — probably even throwing objects at the Ark.
However, I am quickly ushered to those rain waters getting ankle deep — then waste deep — and then my mind quickly envisions a completely different scenario! A scenario of desperation — people scratching at the sides of the Ark begging to be allowed in — cries of repentance — maybe even still curses of defiance. My heart breaks as I think of Mommas and Daddies lifting there children high above the swelling and begging for Noah — for God — to save their children. Truthfully, it was too late for the world during the days of Noah — judgment had come — it had come drowning them in their sins — no hope — all was lost for eternity, as the time of repentence got swept away before the rain drops began to pelt the earth. Parched and unrepentant souls were deluged by the fountains of the deep when the windows of Heaven were opened and like a dry desert they were left unquenched by salvation.
There is coming another judgment one day, but not like it did in the days of Noah. God, who is Faithful and True, promised to never flood the entire earth again in Genesis 8:21 and 22. You see, Noah’s story and Noah’s Ark are a picture of Christ Jesus — God, in HIS great love for us, sent HIS only Son to die on a Cross for our sins. Scripture tells us in I John 2:2, that “He [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (ESV) That means He became sin for us — He made atonement for our sins meeting the demands of the Father, to appease His wrath, so that humanity could be redeemed to God.
When you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to save you, you are then sealed in the Ark of His Covenant. Jesus’ death on the Cross assured mankind that there is a remedy — that for the saved Believer there will be no eternal, damning judgment. God’s redeeming provision is in the person of His Son Jesus — and when we accept Him, God seals us in…just like HE sealed Noah and his family in the Ark.
Beloved — which side of the Ark are you on — sealed in the inside or doomed on the outside? There is still time — today is the day of salvation — will you ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and be Lord of your life?
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-13 (ESV)
You can pray like this — theres is nothing magical about the prayer, as it is just a guide: “Lord, Jesus, I am a sinner — I have sinned against God and I am sorry, please forgive me. Your have promised that if I repent of my sins and turn from them that you will save me. Jesus, save me!”
If you have prayed this prayer and would like more information on how you can begin living for God, please contact me. I would love to help you connect with a Bible-Believing, Christ-Seeking church in your area. God bless you!
If you have not prayed and asked Jesus to save you, please do not wait. He loves you so very much!
Azalea Trees and Tea Rooms 