I believe there is no more incredible blessing than to be guided by the hand of God. The hand of God reminds us of His interest in us and the assurance of His presence. Throughout the Scripture, the Lord calls Himself a shepherd; we are His sheep. God compares people to sheep because they have similar characteristics. Sheep and people need guidance, are vulnerable, prone to wandering, and are helpless without a shepherd.
Genesis 6 introduces Noah, who is righteous and walked with God. This relationship describes someone who is easily guided by His hand and desires obedience. Noah was a glaring contrast to the people of the earth, who were evil and had rejected God. God is merciful, but His patience with people ran out. He was going to bring judgment upon all flesh, but Noah found favor in His eyes.
Noah Put Faith into Action
The Lord told Noah to build an ark of gopher wood to save himself and his family. The ark would have three floors and enough room for Noah’s family, birds, animals, and supplies. Based on Genesis 6:3 many scholars believe it took 120 years for Noah to build the ark.
Genesis 7:1Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.[1]
You can imagine as each day unfolded, Noah was looking to the Lord to guide him. Psalm 37:23The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” [2] Noah’s timely obedience to entering the ark is a model for us as we look to the Lord. As Noah and his family entered the ark, they left their old lives behind for the new ones that lie ahead. As the Lord’s hand guides us, He also calls us to leave our old life behind for something better.
God’s Creation Responds to His Voice
Noah responded to God’s voice to enter the ark, but what about the animals and birds? Genesis 7:L15 They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in. [3] We, too, must listen to God’s timing in our lives as He guides us with His hand. Let God’s loving hand rest upon you as He guides you through life’s journey.
To learn more about being guided by the hand of God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-divine-reset
[1,3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ps 37:23–24). Tyndale House Publishers.