Do Not Fear, Noah

“But I will set up my covenant with you.  You will go into the ark together with your sons, your wife and your son’s wives.”  Gen. 6:18 (CEB)

Several years ago, Brooks and I, and my brother and sister-in-law (Roger & Kathy), made the trip to Kentucky to visit the Ark.  It is built to biblical specifications and even seeing it in person, it’s hard to take in.  I am not one who has the ability to conjure up in my mind an image of such a creation by reading about its dimensions and such, so when I beheld the Ark it took my breath away. 

This do not fear comes from the story of Noah and the ark.  To recap:  God saw how bad humanity had become and was very grieved…. grieved to the point that He decided to destroy all of creation and begin again.  With an exception or two – Noah is noted to have walked with God so he and his family were saved from the impending flood. 

God explains to Noah what He is about to do, and what He requires of Noah.  All the specifics of how to build the ark and what to bring into it are provided by the LORD.  The order of the scripture verses make it seem that all of that information came before Noah got his assurance.  I can’t help but wonder if Noah wondered what was going to happen to him and his family.  Coming down to the wire now, God is laying out His plan…bringing the floodwaters over the earth, destroying everything that breathes.

Then God said, “Do not fear!  You, Noah and your family will board this ark at the right time and I will take care of you.”   (my version) Noah followed God’s orders and then God closed the door on the ark.  This is a familiar story to us all.  Faced with the unimaginable, Noah was told not to be afraid. 

Every day we know or hear of people faced with a death of a loved one, traumatic illness or maybe a financial loss.  Things that we, who haven’t experienced such things would think unimaginable.    

We have a God with an unimaginable love for us.  When we are faced with hard things, sad things and bad things He gives us the same message.  “Do not fear, I will take care of you.”

Will you join me in this prayer today?

 Lord, when the floodwaters of trouble come into the world all around me, please find me faithfully-trusting You to be my “Ark” of safety and provision. Lord, may your Holy Spirit write this story on my heart so that I will see your consistent message from Noah even now. Help me to hear You say, ‘do not fear’ today.