“For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits. Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.”
– Genesis 7:17-24
The Story of Noah
One common phrase dads come pre-programmed with is, “we’re not heating the whole neighborhood!” When doors are left open, sometimes the good gets let out, and the bad gets let in. In today’s story, the closing of the door of the Ark is an easy detail to miss.
Before our passage when the floodwaters cover the earth, there’s an ominous statement where it says of Noah, “the Lord shut him in.” After the boat was built, the animals were loaded, and all the preparations were made, the final step was to shut the door.
For Noah, being shut in meant leaving a whole life behind him. Hebrews 11:7 says that in that final act of trust, “he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” When it comes to trusting God, sometimes that’s the hardest step: shutting the door on our old life. Everyone who follows Jesus is called to live a new life, which sometimes means taking the hard step to shut the door on old habits, thoughts, and relationships.
Reflect
What door is God asking you to close to step into the new life He has for you?
Pray
God, give me the clarity to know what doors I need to close, and the courage to make the hard decision to follow you. Amen.