God closed the door of the ark behind Noah.
Noah’s wife, three sons, and their wives entered the ark, followed by the animals. The raindrops began to fall, and “the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7:16).
God Was with Them
Considering the condition of our world today, the image of the Father’s love found in this verse touches me. God was there with them in the difficult place.
Destruction had begun.
The storm was raging.
Yet there He was with Noah.
God wasn’t hovering in the heavens above, watching His world fall apart. He was with them — Jehovah Shammah — the “Lord Is There.” He closed the door, shutting out the destruction from His righteous child.
If I close my eyes, I can see Noah hurriedly getting his family on board, shepherding the animals up the ramp to the ark, and keeping an eye on the sky. I believe there had to be some fear, some uncertainty. After all, Noah was human like us.
The rain fell in torrents. In my imagination, the wind began to howl — Noah held to the railing to keep his footing steady. Darkness threatened the daylight as the impending doom obscured the sun. Finally, everyone was safe inside.
And then, God closed the door for him.
He Is Jehovah Shammah, The Lord Is There
I wonder if the eyes of Noah’s heart were opened so that he saw the Spirit of God assisting him, or was he so consumed with the storm he forgot to consider where the Lord might be? It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? Especially when difficult circumstances consume us. He stirs in my heart quite often and whispers, Look up, Nan, and see Me drawing near. My love will never fail you.
Our God is good, faithful, and true. I’m learning to recognize Him in my difficult places, to search for evidence of His abiding presence. I believe when I, like Noah, walk by faith in obedience into uncertainties, the Lord will be my sure place, my constant. He will close me in to keep me safe because I am His child.
He is the Keeper of my soul.
Selah
