The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in. For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased, they lifted the ark high above the earth.
Genesis 7:16-17 NIV
Noah finished the work on the ark that God told him to make, and he did everything following God’s instructions. As the flood came upon the earth, it destroyed everything. The only thing that survived the destruction was the ark and all that was in it. Noah and his family and all the animals in their pairs.
Meanwhile, we may be quick to conclude that the ark is the fortress for these survivors. It is possible for us to give credit to the ark for surviving the flood. Even for the protection of all that was in it. However, I realised that there is more to consider from this story than just the perfectly designed ark. God gave every detail of the making of the ark including the choice of its materials. Albeit there was a greater need for the hand of the Lord to do that which only He can fulfil.
God used the ark only for the purpose of housing the people and the animals. But the protection from the actual danger was from Him. It is possible for something to drive the ark against a substance that could cause its wreck. But such did not happen. During and after the forty days of rain, the people were safe. Even until the water was completely gone because the Lord shut them in.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
Psalm 91:1-2 AMPC
The Lord had to shut them in His secret place. Therefore, they remained stable and fixed; they were undisturbed, unmoved, and unwavering by the terror that was happening around. In the secret place of the Most High, no power of enemy can penetrate. No scheme of the wicked and evil can prevail.
God might have helped you come thus far in life. You may want to conclude that you have been made into who you are by careful obedience to Him. May I remind you again that unless you remain in His dwelling place – shut in under His shadow, total victory is not certain. You would only jeopardize all the effort that has preserved you until now.
As you step out, you must ensure that you remain shut-in in the secret place of the Most High. You must ensure, more than anything else, that your anchor is steadfast and firmly deep in the Lord. It is then that you can you be sure of a safe journey through the ocean of this life.
God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So, we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you. Pause in his presence.
Psalm 46:1-3 TPT
In this extraordinary tale of Noah’s faith, we witness the fulfilment of God’s divine plan through unwavering obedience. The ark, undoubtedly a remarkable creation, protected its passengers from the deluge. But beyond its physical structure, the true fortress was the Lord Himself. He shut them in, offering unshakable security. Just as Noah remained stable in the ark, we too must find our refuge and unwavering trust in God, the true source of protection amidst life’s storms.
The secret place of the Most High is our sanctuary, where no enemy can breach, and no evil can prevail. As you embark on your journey through life, remember that your steadfast anchor must be deeply embedded in the Lord. Only then can you navigate life’s tumultuous seas without fear. God is your proven help in times of trouble, ever available, and more than sufficient. So, whether structures crumble or the earth quakes, let your faith remain unshaken. In His presence, we find unwavering security, and in His shadow, we find our refuge.