Shut-In with the LORD

It may have had the best gopher wood

It may have had the best floodlights

But these were not the reasons why

He survived those forty days and nights.

Noah was obedient to God’s command

And surely he did everything right

But this was not the reason why

He was able to survive that plight.

The ark was strong; there is no doubt

And certainly a very sea-worthy boat

But neither of these I dare must say

Can get that unanimous vote.

The ark was pitch within and without

It was certainly watertight

But as the reason for his survival

Such could never be deemed as right.

So shift your focus from the ark

And away from its obedient builder,

Unless you get past the human element

You’d never be any wiser.

Follow me to the book of beginnings

And there you will find the source:

Now turn with me to Genesis 7

And have a look at the 16th verse.

Into the ark they all did go

And no doubt Noah was the last to enter

But it was not he who shut the door

Prior to their coming adventure.

It was the LORD that “shut him in”

Go and read it for yourself

And if you still believe otherwise

Then your glasses are on the shelf.

I have derived a new term for trust

It is to be “shut-in” with the LORD,

To let go and let Him in every respect

Certainly brings great reward.

  

We encounter many floods in our life

And often we are overwhelmed,

We take all kinds of expert advice

In the hope the fallout we can stem.

But our first and last resort should be

The LORD that calms our storms

For to be shut-in with Him and Him alone

Should be our every day norm.

I say thanks to a friend on Messenger

That sent me an encouraging word,

Such was the inspiration for this poem

I am glad that you too have heard.

Stewart Russell © December 2018