Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.’
Genesis 7:1
Listen . . . can you hear it? It’s the sound of ancient construction off in the distance as the largest sailing vessel of its day is being crafted for the journey of a lifetime.
And there’s another sound so faint, barely a whisper in Noah’s ear, but thunderously loud in his faithful heart.
“Something’s coming Noah! Something you can’t comprehend even when you begin to see it with your own eyes. You’ve got to trust Me on this one because I have a plan and believe Me, you’re going to need a plan! What’s coming is something you can’t escape and you can’t survive on your own. No one can! You can’t possibly understand what no one has experienced before so believe Me. When the waters rise, I’ve got you. When your friends doubt you, I alone am your faithful friend. You and you alone have been faithful to Me. I’ve seen your righteous heart. Gather your family and get onboard!”
Cue the watery deluge.
Before the first drop fell there was a heavenly plan of escape with explicitly clear instructions. Cypress wood only, cubits upon cubits, pitch in and out, and Noah followed them all to a “T.” While it feels confusing it really is as simple as that. When the waters rise we follow His instructions instead of following our fear of what may come.
The story continues in Genesis 7:16 telling us that all of Noah’s family members and a sampling of all living creatures had boarded. Then something incredible happened. “. . . the Lord shut him in.” When the Lord shut them in to the ark they weren’t trapped, they were safe. No harm from the flood or rain or any other external source could sabotage them. They were untouchable, safe in the care of their great God with a plan.
Storms in uncharted territories will come as surely as the waters will rise and the waves will toss and turn us. Our faithful and righteous God will rise to make a way of escape for us. He alone is our safety and rescue.
Listen . . . He has a plan!
JoAnne Huston
CUI Human Resources Coordinator