The Holy one calls to me this morning. There is an especially dark foreboding in the atmosphere. It's starting to rain. Gentle at first, then come the torrents.
I have learned that the Mysterious One who calls my name frequently abides in the dark swirling clouds of uncertainty. Our move to a state where the seasons and weather patterns are forces to reckoned with, has provided me with symbolic references to the Creator.
Weather and seasons are out of my human control and they have given me a deep sense of vulnerability that emphasizes my human need to be in the care and keeping of Someone bigger than myself.
Having come from a state of almost perpetual sunshine, California, my self-serving agendas were never interrupted by rain or snow or tornadoes or the formidible "winds of change". Earthquakes would shake the earth below us but they were short lived and unless the house was above the epi-center of the "quake" little effect was felt by most of the population.
Here in the South East, the heavens shake and the power of nature sends visible and audible reminders of our inability to control our environment. We all experience the power of an electrical storm with it's dramatic thunder and lightening. Most weather events pass with little damage to our lives but they still serve as a reality check that a force greater than our frail human bodies is out there.
Today's storm is a fitting back drop for my early morning meeting with the Holy One.
His warnings come with the deepest compassion. "Just like in the days of Noah, the door of the Ark is about to close". Genesis 6-7
For any who do not grasp the important events of the Old Testament or understand how each represents to us a picture of God's Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ, let me explain this one. The ark of Noah was a symbol of Christ to come, and the flood was the real life judgment by God upon the ancient earth and it's inhabitants.
Noah was a man who had found favor with God because he looked for and found a relationship with Him. While the whole world was indifferent to the outstretched hand of the Sovereign Creator, Noah made his connection. It is written that Noah walked with God. (Gen 6:9).
Because Noah was in a relationship with God, God talked to Noah. And Noah listened. God told Noah what He was about to do, and gave instructions along with a blue print for a vessel that would become his place of deliverance from the wrath to come.
The Holy One provides me with a visual in one of those "freeze frame" like moments to just study the scene: The world under the indictment of Holiness. The flood of God's judgment. One man, his family and a few animals bobbing around in a box called an "Ark".
Today is a day of deep concern for those of us who are grieved by all we see. We know the world is ripe for some form of judgement due to all the wickedness of man that just grows worse by the hour. Something is coming though we know not what. As I am caught up in the Lord's message to my heart, I feel a peace come over my being.
In pondering the text, I realize Noah's rescue was IN the flood, DURING the unhinging of the waters of the deep, and AMID all the destruction heaven unleashed against the wicked inhabitants of the earth. His rescue was in and not out of the danger zone. The rain and water fulfilled their purpose while Noah, his family and the animals God intended to keep safe, floated in the water-proof vessel.
What a comforting picture of God's faithful provision for His people considering the conditions of the world we live in today. Evil abounds, and wickedness is flourishing. God's indictment has been given but there is a place of safety to be found.
Within the Church is a hope for what we call "Rapture", but there is a great debate as to when it might take place relative to what is understood to be the "Tribulation" period. The account of Noah provides a sense of comfort for all who are walking with God and listening to His voice in our day. We will be kept safe regardless of one's interpretation of the sequence of the rapture/removal of the Church of the Living God. Jesus is the Eternal Ark of our Salvation, no matter what we may have to face in the days to come.
Matt 24:36- Jesus recalls the days of Noah and relates it to the day and hour that is coming but unknown to the mortals of this world. Speaking of the end of the age, Jesus said:
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days of Noah before the flood, people were eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day Noah entered the Ark. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Therefore keep watch! You do not know on what day your Lord will come."
It seems to me that in the days leading up to the flood, Noah's voice could be heard but was ignored. It has been said that Noah faithfully built the Ark over a long period of time, like 100 years or so. His daily life and work was clearly visible to the world around him. The sheer size of the project would have made it a tourist attraction or at least a curiosity to any inquiring minds.
God's love is patient and He does give warnings to those who have an ear to hear Him. The fact that earth has survived over 2000 years since He sent His Son into the world to bring the knowledge of the Creator God to us humans is evidence of His long enduring patience. However, scripture tells us that there is a day on the Calendar...a moment when the history of man's days upon the earth as we know them will be over....fully written.... complete.... and then will come "judgement".
Until that day, the Ark of our Salvation stands open. The Ark of God's eternal deliverance is holding out His hand of mercy and rescue. Time is short but until the very last moment of God's amazing Grace there remains a way of escape. Just as there was only one Ark, there is only one Savior and only one way to escape God's ultimate judgement. His name is Jesus.
The Ark was pounded by the force of the judgment of our Holy God, yet the occupants within survived the wrath of Holiness. The "Ark" was a symbol of Christ to come. Christ, on the Cross was pounded by the force of God's judgement for all the wickedness of men. Yet for all who come to Him for safety and rescue, He is the "Ark" of our salvation and deliverance. He died the death for all of us and paid the price for sin but only those who enter into a relationship with Him will be spared on that last day.
The clouds on the horizon are forming, and it may well be starting to rain. Have you made it to the safety of the Ark?
The Spirit is calling. Can you hear Him?
I have learned that the Mysterious One who calls my name frequently abides in the dark swirling clouds of uncertainty. Our move to a state where the seasons and weather patterns are forces to reckoned with, has provided me with symbolic references to the Creator.
Weather and seasons are out of my human control and they have given me a deep sense of vulnerability that emphasizes my human need to be in the care and keeping of Someone bigger than myself.
Having come from a state of almost perpetual sunshine, California, my self-serving agendas were never interrupted by rain or snow or tornadoes or the formidible "winds of change". Earthquakes would shake the earth below us but they were short lived and unless the house was above the epi-center of the "quake" little effect was felt by most of the population.
Here in the South East, the heavens shake and the power of nature sends visible and audible reminders of our inability to control our environment. We all experience the power of an electrical storm with it's dramatic thunder and lightening. Most weather events pass with little damage to our lives but they still serve as a reality check that a force greater than our frail human bodies is out there.
Today's storm is a fitting back drop for my early morning meeting with the Holy One.
His warnings come with the deepest compassion. "Just like in the days of Noah, the door of the Ark is about to close". Genesis 6-7
For any who do not grasp the important events of the Old Testament or understand how each represents to us a picture of God's Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ, let me explain this one. The ark of Noah was a symbol of Christ to come, and the flood was the real life judgment by God upon the ancient earth and it's inhabitants.
Noah was a man who had found favor with God because he looked for and found a relationship with Him. While the whole world was indifferent to the outstretched hand of the Sovereign Creator, Noah made his connection. It is written that Noah walked with God. (Gen 6:9).
Because Noah was in a relationship with God, God talked to Noah. And Noah listened. God told Noah what He was about to do, and gave instructions along with a blue print for a vessel that would become his place of deliverance from the wrath to come.
The Holy One provides me with a visual in one of those "freeze frame" like moments to just study the scene: The world under the indictment of Holiness. The flood of God's judgment. One man, his family and a few animals bobbing around in a box called an "Ark".
Today is a day of deep concern for those of us who are grieved by all we see. We know the world is ripe for some form of judgement due to all the wickedness of man that just grows worse by the hour. Something is coming though we know not what. As I am caught up in the Lord's message to my heart, I feel a peace come over my being.
In pondering the text, I realize Noah's rescue was IN the flood, DURING the unhinging of the waters of the deep, and AMID all the destruction heaven unleashed against the wicked inhabitants of the earth. His rescue was in and not out of the danger zone. The rain and water fulfilled their purpose while Noah, his family and the animals God intended to keep safe, floated in the water-proof vessel.
What a comforting picture of God's faithful provision for His people considering the conditions of the world we live in today. Evil abounds, and wickedness is flourishing. God's indictment has been given but there is a place of safety to be found.
Within the Church is a hope for what we call "Rapture", but there is a great debate as to when it might take place relative to what is understood to be the "Tribulation" period. The account of Noah provides a sense of comfort for all who are walking with God and listening to His voice in our day. We will be kept safe regardless of one's interpretation of the sequence of the rapture/removal of the Church of the Living God. Jesus is the Eternal Ark of our Salvation, no matter what we may have to face in the days to come.
Matt 24:36- Jesus recalls the days of Noah and relates it to the day and hour that is coming but unknown to the mortals of this world. Speaking of the end of the age, Jesus said:
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days of Noah before the flood, people were eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day Noah entered the Ark. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Therefore keep watch! You do not know on what day your Lord will come."
It seems to me that in the days leading up to the flood, Noah's voice could be heard but was ignored. It has been said that Noah faithfully built the Ark over a long period of time, like 100 years or so. His daily life and work was clearly visible to the world around him. The sheer size of the project would have made it a tourist attraction or at least a curiosity to any inquiring minds.
God's love is patient and He does give warnings to those who have an ear to hear Him. The fact that earth has survived over 2000 years since He sent His Son into the world to bring the knowledge of the Creator God to us humans is evidence of His long enduring patience. However, scripture tells us that there is a day on the Calendar...a moment when the history of man's days upon the earth as we know them will be over....fully written.... complete.... and then will come "judgement".
Until that day, the Ark of our Salvation stands open. The Ark of God's eternal deliverance is holding out His hand of mercy and rescue. Time is short but until the very last moment of God's amazing Grace there remains a way of escape. Just as there was only one Ark, there is only one Savior and only one way to escape God's ultimate judgement. His name is Jesus.
The Ark was pounded by the force of the judgment of our Holy God, yet the occupants within survived the wrath of Holiness. The "Ark" was a symbol of Christ to come. Christ, on the Cross was pounded by the force of God's judgement for all the wickedness of men. Yet for all who come to Him for safety and rescue, He is the "Ark" of our salvation and deliverance. He died the death for all of us and paid the price for sin but only those who enter into a relationship with Him will be spared on that last day.
The clouds on the horizon are forming, and it may well be starting to rain. Have you made it to the safety of the Ark?
The Spirit is calling. Can you hear Him?
