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Monday, July 25
For forty days and forty nights...
The floor of the great abyss ruptured, spewing skyward enormous streams of steam from its belly. It roared in agony as it billowed into a surging mass of catastrophic power, pounding angrily against the ark, which cradled the nucleus of humanity in safety from the judgment upon the earth.
The once calm seas broke open their storerooms and heaved forth their reservoirs as frothing waves. Never having rained before, the windows of heaven now threw open their sluice gates, unleashing their inner resources as great torrents.
And the ark, listing from side to side, rose up with the waters.
“And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.” (Gen. 7:24 NKJV)
God then restrained the waters and made a wind to pass over the surface, and, as the waters began to decrease, the ark rested on top of Mount Ararat.
The definition for Ararat is interesting. The Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Lexicon says it means the curse reversed: precipitation of curse. Noah means “rest,” and its root word basically means to settle down, cause to rest, to deposit, and so on. As the curse reversed, the waters deposited the ark, causing it to rest on Ararat, and so, too, did Noah, probably heaving a big sigh of relief.
After months of the waters receding, Noah sent out a raven that went “to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth.” (Gen. 8:7 NKJV) Noah also “sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground.” (v.8 NKJV)
The dove went out into the world, searching upon the waters of “drifting waste of sin and judgment” (A. B. Simpson) for a resting place. But “the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot” (v.9a NKJV), so she returned to the ark. And Noah “put forth his hand and drew her to him into the ark.” (v.9a Amp)
“And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark.” (v.10a NKJV) This time the dove returned with an olive leaf, which is not only a symbol of peace and reconciliation but is also a symbol of prosperity, divine blessing, beauty, and strength. The sign that judgment had passed and peace was returning
Each time the dove returned, Noah welcomed her back, putting forth his hand, and drawing her to himself, to her resting place in the ark.
Isn’t that a comforting thought of our Lord? When we encounter chaotic circumstances, do we go out into the world searching for rest, peace, and satisfaction? We will not find them there.
The Lord’s graciousness to us is the same as Noah’s was to the dove. Christ is our Ark of safety, our resting place, and in our wanderings, He reaches out His nail-scarred hands and pulls us to Himself for comfort and protection. As scripture says, “The Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself.” (2 Tim. 4:18 Amp) Interesting. “Draw” means to rush or draw (for oneself), rescue, deliver, or preserve from.
He lovingly says to us, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jer. 31:3 NKJV) “In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved.” (Isa. 30:15 Amp)
Christ clutches His Bride in His eternal arms of love, “And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Isa. 62:5 NKJV)
Do you roam the earth, flitting about from place to place in search of a place to light upon for rest, peace, or safety? Do you find it? In your unrest, let your weary wings take you back to the Lord, to seek that secure resting place in Him alone.
The Lord continually draws you to Himself by His Spirit. Return to the Ark and find rest unto your soul.
This was a beautiful reminder that our rest is in Him. And he is always waiting for us to come so that he can show us his faithfulness and love.
Only in Him will we find true rest, as you have so beautifully stated. Hard when the trials of this life toss us on rough seas. I love the dove, reminds me of hearing the Mourning Doves early in the morning as I read my devotions. Thanks for another great post, Lynn.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL, Lynn! What a precious way to begin the day. Abundant Tuesday blessings to you!
Beautiful post! In Him we always find rest! Thanks for the reminder!
Perfect, Lynn. Resting in the everlasting arms (wings?) of God.
Shanda, I'm honored to have you visit. Thanks so much for commenting. I appreciate it. Bless you!
Thank you, sweet Ceci! You're always so generous to comment. You make my heart happy! Blessings to you!
Thank you so much, Cindee! Bless you!
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, Rita. I'm honored. Bless you!
Thank you, dear Carol! I so appreciate your comments. Blessings to you!
A wonderful reminder thanks Lynn, I needed this tonight. My Nephew (20 years old) Monday flew into the Savior's hands and is now with his grandmother; he is the first of her descendants to join her.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Oh, Jennifer, I am so sorry about your nephew. Thank you for commenting. Praying for you and your family. Blessings of comfort to you.
I love this story because it's another picture of God's love for his creation. How he jealously longs for us to turn to him first and rest in his sovereignty. Discovering his faithful love and assurance of safety gives us all the more reason to shout Hallelujah!! Our God reigns!!
Thanks for this beautiful post Lynn. I love how Christ is our "ark" - a place of rest and safety in the chaos of life.
Doves have always been symbols of peace, gentleness and rest. What a great word picture of Christ and His care for us. To think the Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove...
Blessings,
Beautiful word pictures you've drawn here, Lynn! Love the thought of only being able to find rest in the Lord. He's the only One who can truly give peace! Enjoy your uplifting posts! God bless you!
Beautiful post Lynn! And a wonderful reminder that there's rest in the Ark of God. I think I'm needing a bit of that these days. My flittering wings are getting a bit weary! :-) Love ya!
Oh, thank you, Terrie, for your sweet comment. I appreciate it. Bless you!
Thank you, Deborah. I always love your comments. Bless you!
Thanks you so much, Maria, for taking time to read my post and leave a comment. You bless me! Blessings to you!
Stephanie, thank you, sweetie! Always love hearing from you. Praying for you! Be blessed!
Beautifully written. I have spent much of my day allowing myself to be still and enjoy the Lords presence. It's not easy to be still, but so worth it when we are.
New follower from Chronicles of Three Christian Moms and Ruby for Women.
Beautifully written (as always) Lynn! This is a great reminder to us in these days of uncertainty with the world!