Recently on Facebook, I noticed several people were posting a picture of Noah’s ark with an accompanying story. It caught my attention but not enough for me to stop and read about the picture. This week, a friend sent it to me in messenger so I clicked on the photo and read the story. Great words of wisdom were revealed.
The author wrote about his thoughts on Noah and his safety in the ark. He assumed Noah was safe because he followed God’s directions for building the ark out of gopher wood and to the specific dimensions God gave him. However, a verse jumped out at him when reading about Noah that he hadn’t noticed before. Genesis 7:16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in. What? The Lord shut him in. Oh.
Noah was safe because God shut him in the ark. He goes on to relate this to our lives today. We aren’t safe because our front door is locked, we aren’t safe because we are excellent drivers, we aren’t safe from disease because of our dietary habits…we are safe because God has shut us in. Of course, we don’t want to live our lives oblivious of the dangers around us and we should lock our doors at night, drive safely, and eat healthy foods, but…those things we do don’t protect us. Only God protects us. Wow. Once again, I’m reminded, I am not in charge.
This fact is both freeing and frightening. I want to be in charge. I want to think I can protect myself and my family on my own accord. I want to do something. (Do you know the story of Mary and Martha? You might have guessed I’m a Martha…) When I remember God has the ultimate control, I can relax in my day. I’ve done my part, now let God do the rest. Stressing, worrying, fretting, sweating, complaining, none of those actions bring me any peace. Only when I can rest in the knowledge that God is in control, can I live in peace. God has shut me in.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV