The ark was a refuge for faith for Noah and his family to save them from the coming flood. Genesis 7:7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.[1] Noah and his family had worked on the ark for years and had been in and out many times, but now it was different. The Lord warned Noah seven days before the rains began (Genesis 7:10).
Noah had a close relationship with God, and his faith would be instrumental in saving himself and his family. You can imagine the ridicule that Noah and his family endured as they built this giant boat on dry ground. Through all this, Noah remained faithful to the Lord’s mission.
He is a testimony and model for us today to remain faithful. Revelation 2:10Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.[2] What an amazing reward for faithfulness. Philippians 3:14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.[3]
Jesus, the Ark of our Salvation
The ark is a figurative picture of our salvation in Jesus. When Noah and their family entered the ark, they found refuge from the judgment of the flood. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are saved from being condemned to hell because of our sins. The ark had only one door, and Jesus also calls himself the door. John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.[4]
Through Jesus, we enter through the door of eternal life, and there is no other way. Our enemy tries to tell us there are many ways to heaven, but there is only one, and that is Jesus. The ark saved Noah and his family from judgment because they believed in God’s promise. Even the New Testament gives much insight into Noah’s faith.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith, Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear, constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. [5] Just as Noah trusted God and was saved, we must also trust that Jesus will save us by faith. Faith is not reason or figuring things out but trust in God.
A Refuge in Chaos
The ark was a refuge of chaos when the flood water swept over the earth. You can only imagine how the ark moved up and down in the turbulent water, but they were safe. Life can also be like that, where we can experience turbulence, but when we place our faith in Jesus, He is our place of safety no matter the circumstances we face. Let the Savior hold you tight if your life seems out of control.
To learn more about the refuge of faith, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-divine-reset
[1-5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.