No one can live without water, but too much water is deadly. None of us has the means to withstand floods or hurricanes; they have their way with buildings, bridges, and fields of grain. In the days of Noah, no one escaped a watery grave, except for those in the ark.
God designed the ark to withstand the deepest seas and the most perfect storms. Divine specifications kept Noah, his family, and the animals alive. The waters of destruction could not enter the ark because God himself secured it when he shut the door. But outside there was death and destruction everywhere.
God, our refuge and strength, has provided another unfailing bulwark. Built to God’s specifications, the church of Christ can withstand all the waves of sin’s destruction. To the world, the church appears an ugly and leaky craft, but that’s because it thinks you and I are the church’s designers and builders.
They mocked Noah too—and then it started to rain.
Sin’s violent undercurrents remain. But so does the church. Divinely designed to withstand the strongest undertow or deadliest tsunami, the church of Jesus Christ is our refuge. Because it’s been beaten by sin’s violence and operated by an inept crew for centuries, it has no worldly beauty or majesty to attract. But its Builder keeps all inside safe, sealed in for life.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us refuge from the storms of sin. Help us not to fear the violence that batters your church. In your saving name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Arie C. Leder
Dr. Arie C. Leder is the Martin J. Wyngaarden Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously served as pastor at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, Trenton, Ontario, and with Christian Reformed World Missions in Latin America. He teaches courses on the Pentateuch and on historical books of the Old Testament.
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