Are You A Shut-In?

“The Lord shut him in.” (Gen 7:16b)

When we prepare for the night most of us check our doors to ensure they are locked and secure. We secure our homes because we want to feel safe from danger and harm from the evil workers. The truth is that locks on our doors are only a deterrent to harm and do not offer a complete protection from harm.

What I have learned about this world is simple…you cannot shut out the harm that comes from living in a sinful world. There is a way that we can be secure while living a life that is surrounded by sinful and evil-works... be a “shut-in” follower of Jesus.

We find this account in God’s word:

“And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.” (Gen 7:16)

God “shut him in” these words should encourage the followers of Jesus to seek God’s protection.

What comfort these words “the Lord shut him in” brings to the children of God! To know that God takes care of us by shutting out the troubles and cares of the world. Noah and his family were securely concealed from the storms that were soon to come.

Why Noah? The word of God makes this observation:

“Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Gen 6:9)

The scripture makes it clear that Noah was not without sin so what makes him “perfect?”

The word “perfect” does not carry the same understanding today as it does in the Bible. Perfect, as defined today, is understood as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. The word “perfect”, used to describe Noah, is understood to mean entire (literally, figuratively or morally).

What made Noah perfect? Noah walked with God. While the rest of the world ignored God and His righteousness, Noah sought out the ways of God and followed after them. Walking with God taught Noah how to be just or lawful; righteous in his dealing with both man and God. This set Noah apart from all the others in his “generations.”

Noah was not only different in his behavior; he was different in his understanding of God. Noah worshipped God.The rest of the world did not have the same understanding of God that Noah held. Noah understood that to believe in God was to be obedient to Him.

When Noah was told to build the ark; he built the ark. It was this ark that God “shut” him in. As Noah followed God’s purpose, he was building his place of protection from the coming storms. It was his obedience to God that provided the place of protection from the evils of the world.

In the same way that God protected Noah, your heavenly Father shelters you from the evil that befalls the world. He keeps you safe from Satan’s attacks when you allow Him to guide you and keep you.  

Purpose to be like Noah and be different in your generation by how you “walk.” Do not walk in the paths of the unrighteous. Walk with God and you can be a “shut-in” Christian.