When all was ready, when Noah had followed all of God’s instructions down to the letter, God closed the door of the boat. The rain began to fall. The cleansing of the world had begun. What an endeavor Noah had undertaken. Success with the help of God. We hear of no fight or questioning. Noah did as God instructed.
Are we are obedient like Noah? If asked by God to do something totally unfathomable, how would you respond? I’d like to think that I’d be ready and eager to do whatever God asked. I’m sure my doubts and self-limiting beliefs would come up at some point. But the more I think about this, the more I want God to use me. I’m open. For so many years I felt tied to a job or tied to some responsibility or another. Being a good wife and mother consumed my thoughts. My load is lessened considerably. What about you?
While I’m convicted and ready to be God’s instrument, I also want to look closely at this text for any other message it may have for me. God certainly keeps his word. Seven days meant seven days. That’s not a lot of time for every animal and creature to come be accounted for and admitted on to the boat.
Forty days and nights of rain is a long time. We have been in the rainy season for several months now, but the rain is usually only at night, and then only a downpour for an hour or two. Back in the U.S., there have been many areas flooding in recent years. It is a horrific disaster.
But Noah’s flood was the flood of all floods. Everything was covered. All life that existed on earth was destroyed. Only those chosen to be on the boat were safe. It would be up to them to start populating the earth once again. Like a do-over on a big scale. God was hopeful that by having a righteous man leading, the new civilization would be without blemish. We’ll have to see how that plays out!
God chose to cleanse the earth not totally destroy it. The process resulted in the loss of many lives. Yet God’s purpose was to wash away all the sinfulness and corruption. When we look inside our own lives and hearts, we find brokenness and sin. We don’t necessarily mean to be hurtful to others or hurting ourselves, but we are clogged up with gunk. It would do us good to get a thorough cleansing. What does that look like?
That’s why our devotion time and Sabbath time is so important. Unfortunately standing in a hot steamy shower is not going to clean us from the inside out. Even a dip in icy water or hot springs isn’t going to wash us like we need to be washed. Jesus did what he did on the cross to cleanse us. Listen to a wonderful song From the Inside Out HERE.
Let’s pray. Lord, I do seek Your will above all else. I thank you and give you praise for all of the lessons you allow me to learn each day. May I never get lost and stray too far away from you. Your light will shine when all else fades. May I keep my eyes focused on you at all times. Cleanse my heart from the inside out. Wash away the muck that keeps me stuck and not moving forward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
