Life in the Ark

John 16:33 (AMP Classic)
³³ I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]

A well-known minister of the gospel recently gave an important reminder concerning life in Noah’s Ark that we as believers should not neglect. We’ve heard the messages on how uncomfortable it probably was – smelly and hygiene-challenged- because of the large number of animal occupants. Based on what was occurring outside, it was also a very bumpy ride for a very long time. This minster said it was not unreasonable to assume that Noah and his family literally fell on more than one occasion. The point he stressed was that when Noah fell, he always fell “inside” the ark.  No matter what happened or how many times it happened, Noah was always protected because he was in the ark.

This minister went on to share the significance of what that means for us today. We, too, are in an ark, but since the CROSS, Jesus has become our ark. Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT) states: “He {God} has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” The “Kingdom of His dear Son” is our ark!

How does knowing this affect us on a practical level? It can help us face and overcome challenges in both the spiritual and the natural areas of our lives. First, we must always keep the “inside-the-ark” mentality when we sin or fall short of God’s high standards. Often committing a sin will leave us feeling disappointed at the least, or downcast at the most. Condemnation comes knocking at our doorstep. This is the time to remember that we “fell” inside our ark – Jesus. God does not look at our sin. Romans 4:8 (NIV) says: “How blessed is the person whose sins the Lord will never charge against him!”  Only Jesus met the demands of God’s high standard and we get credit for His perfection. God only looks at the Jesus in you. After making that decision, we repent, do what God tells us to do (if we have hurt someone and need to go to them), and let GRACE (God’s empowering presence to change us) do what only GRACE can do.

Secondly, living in a fallen world requires that we maintain the “inside-the-ark” mentality. A bad doctor’s report, a financial challenge, or a broken relationship can cause our world to get bumpy and even cause us to fall through disappointment or depression. Once again, we must decide to remember that we “fell” inside our ark – Jesus. According to John 16:33, that means the fall is limited in its power to hurt us (see scripture above). Isaiah 54:17(NKJV) confirms that. It says,¹⁷ “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord.”  Jesus is our righteousness; He is our ark!

Yes, life will present challenges; but we can rest in the truth that they have been denied their power to hurt us. Living life with an “inside-the-ark” focus opens the door for us to receive the promises of God in our lives despite the difficulties we encounter.  Receiving this Truth will cause the bumpy ride that accompanies life’s challenges to give way to the GRACE found in every promise.

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