SHUTTERED The Lord shut Noah in an ark for one year. Has the Lord "shut us in" to make us holy? Genesis 7:16. And when shut in my circumstances, do I live "to cover not to expose." Genesis 9:26.
State of Florida Library
Flooding from the worst engineering disaster in US history decimated 80% of my hometown of New Orleans and displaced every known living relative of my parents. I never heard again from the handful of relatives. Catalytic. Catastrophic.
Noah never heard again from any of the thousands of people who died in the flood of his day---those who held evil intentions continually. Serious business here. 8 Survivors. Noah lived because he found favor and walked with God---and he took his family with him.
What would it be like to see your world fall apart in front of your ark window while you rocked safely on the untested waters for six months, crammed next to your questioning family and not-so-quiet thousands of animals---some commentaries say 16,000 in all. An unbelievable story of faith in the midst of screaming deadly circumstances. What things loom and look impossible to me this year? Even this week! "The Lord shut them in" ~ Genesis 7:16. Has the Lord "shut us in" to make us holy?
May we know this day, we are a remembered tribe. And that changes everything. I hope I remember how much I want new eyes, new ears, a new voice. And to be like the two brothers in Genesis 9:26 covering their father's shame. Moving in to truly love. Wonder what that looks like in this life of ours? I know it's not a safe dismissiveness. No. No cool distances. Move to love. Live to cover not to expose. A blanket of grace.
And in the NT, the question of living right, good morals, is center stage. If I drop a piece of info into the right slot, would it be morally right? Do I live by morals alone? "Here is the rub: one must be more zealous to please God than to avoid sin. One's obedience to God must be forward-oriented and zealous and free, and to be a mere moralist or pietist would make such a life impossible." Eric Metaxas. Matthew 3:3 Prepare the way. It's not about "doing" but about "being," and You, Holy Spirit, to help us in this life of ours prepare the way for our Lord.
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