The Arc of God Carries Us Through

As I think back about 13 years ago, I consider how lonely I felt, how unhappy I was, how uncertain my future looked. In this time frame I was so desperate for my circumstances to change. I battled depression, fear and anxiety. I even entered Bible college, doing what I could to look for comfort and to gain knowledge about God in hopes it would illuminate a direction surrounding my circumstances. I was pursuing God with all that I had. I knew that my life depended on it. When my children would go to bed and I would cry out to the Lord. Often I would wield my weapons of warfare through worship, praise and dance. I prayed with the word of God and would remind the invisible forces that were seeming to prevail, that they indeed, would not. I did all this knowing God gives the desires of one's heart when they delight in Him (Psalm 37:4, paraphrase). Yet, I still felt so empty and uncertain of my children and I’s future. Their dad and I had separated, which I felt God in, but I was well aware I had no control over the outcome. I was scared.

The Bible illustrates stories of individuals who also found themselves in frightening situations beyond their control. We see time and again when they hid themselves in God, He served as their protection, their provider, their deliverer; their ark. For instance, when Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea, they crossed the waters on dry ground (ark) and were saved, eventually conquering the Promised Land (Exodus 13:17-14:31). Similarly, Noah and his family survived the world wide flood in an actual ark that God instructed Noah to construct. This construction of the ark required an ear to hear God’s voice, obedience to follow the directions, no matter how crazy he looked, and took a considerable amount of time, approximately 120 years. If Noah had not been obedient, available, and faithfiled, who knows how the leading to the creation of a new world would have looked (Genesis 7-8).

Jesus passed through death both physically and spiritually. Jesus was forsaken by God and entered Sheol to fully allow the gospel to be preached to all; dismantling its power (1 Peter 3:18-20, NIV). Afterward, He ascended to heaven and has been seated at the right hand of God the Father ever since (Mark 16:19, NIV). Jesus not only represents the true fulfillment of the ark (which the earlier stories with a saving device merely symbolized), but He also established an ark for us through baptism. Just as we are submerged in water during baptism, it is our faith in Christ that offers the protection of an ark, just as Noah's ark provided safety from the waters of judgment. When we emerge from the water, we are renewed with the capacity to lead a spiritually awakened life because our dead, sinful nature is left behind in the water. 

Thirteen years later I look back and see that though our marriage and family went through high waters and firestorms; God was there through it all. The pain, suffering, and countless tears that could fill an entire house were overcome by faith, which "saved" us. The time my husband and I spent apart was difficult and not a path we would have chosen. However, in hindsight, God's constant presence and guidance are evident. He led me to places that sustained and resuscitated my hope. Every private moment was spent in conversation with Him. When I immersed myself in God, He answered, responded, guided, and provided. What might have happened if I had chosen to compromise? What if Noah, Moses, Jesus, or even we in our baptismal waters had decided to compromise?

  If I had claimed to pursue God in my painful existence but turned to a substance or a credit card in my most desperate moments, would I have the same testimony? No, in fact I would not. The only testimony I might have is one that gives the devil glory. The truth is that God is gracious, and He also rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The reality is that Jesus said that those who love Him will keep His commands (John 15:15). In the previous verse (14) He promised that He will do anything we ask in His name. By staying hidden in Him, I was enabled to emerge intact and stronger in the end. New wine emerged at the end of a 12 year long stand, and my marriage was restored (Amos 9:11-15)! All things have become new, because seeking refuge in God was my ark.

Through my experience I have learned that you do not have to be some “unique,” outstanding person to become a part of the faith "hall of fame," (Hebrews 11). We access His ark of safety when we make a simple choice to walk the straight and narrow way by faith. Today, if you are presented with a trial or a test of your faith, know that God has already supplied you an ark. He has made Himself, “The Way,” for you to get through (John 14:6). 

Consider This

• Think on a situation that has been a place of hardship and ask Holy Spirit today what you need to believe about Him to help you walk through this hard place with faith and surrender.