Noah

Peter showed us that our position in Christ is illustrated by Noah’s position in the ark (see 1 Peter 3:18-22).  When that ark was finished, a perfect way of escape from the wrath of God had been provided.  That’s because the ark was covered “within and without with pitch” (Genesis 6:14).  The Hebrew word for pitch is exactly the same word that is translated elsewhere as “atonement.”  Thank God for the atonement that keeps the waters of God’s wrath from reaching His rescued ones!

Noah was not told to place pegs on the outside of the ark so he could hold on.  That would have been ridiculous, and yet this is the kind of salvation some people think they have.  They feel they will get to heaven if they can just hold out faithful to the end.  But people who believe this have forgotten who is holding whom (John 10:28-29).

Imagine this scene:  Noah is holding on to a slimy peg on the outside of the ark.  His knuckles have turned white.  He shouts above the roar of the storm to Mrs. Noah, “Honey, please pray for me that I’ll hold out faithful to the end.”  Poor old Noah would have never made it.

Thank God it was not that way at all.  God said to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark” (Genesis 7:1).  God was already inside the ark inviting Noah to come in with Him!  It was then that God shut and sealed the door.

Not only did God shut the water out, but at the same time He closed Noah in with Himself.  Noah was as safe as the ark itself was safe, because he was in the ark.  We are likewise in Christ.  We will do down only if He does down.

Safe, Noah, atonement, protection

1 Peter 3:18-22; Genesis 6:14; John 10:28-29; Genesis 7:1

Adrian Rogers, The Power of His Presence (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1995), 179-180.