The Power and Protection of God

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT THE BIBLE
The middle and shortest chapter of the Bible is Psalms 117:1-2 [KJV][1]

DAILY READING : GENESIS 7 - 9

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

THEME : THE POWER AND PROTECTION OF GOD

In chapters 7-9 of Genesis, we read of the Great Flood that overthrew mankind many years ago, in what the Bible refers to as the Old World. This term exists, because it is through Noah and his descendants - Shem, Ham, and Japheth - God repopulated the world we live in today.

Directed by God to take two of every creature into the ark after one hundred years of building, preparing, and preaching righteousness to the people of his day, God saved Noah and his wife and family from the overflowing waters. The Lord performed this by His own Hand. We see this truth and encouraging fact in chapter 7 and verse 16. It was not enough for God to give warning and instruction to Noah. No, God went further than simply telling Noah what was coming and what to do. God also displayed His willingness to keep Noah safe during the storm. This is a remarkable illustration of what God does for all who trust in Christ as well.

It would not be enough if Christ merely taught us how to live in this present evil world, told us to love Him, and warned us to flee from the wrath to come. For if that were all that God did through Christ, we would still fail. Every Christian knows from his or her own experience how often we have not followed Christ's instructions, or believed in His Word when we knew we should. That is why God "shuts us in," in Christ.

In other words, God does more than teach and command us. He makes sure everyone that believes in Christ is kept by the power of God through faith, so we will make Heaven and escape the judgment to come. Jesus foretold of a time on the earth so terrible, that if God did not set limits to the period of time known as the Great Tribulation, no flesh would remain. Also, the Bible tells of a final judgment after the resurrection of all who did not believe the Gospel, and whose names are not written in the Book of Life. All who would not or did not believe the Gospel will be cast into the Lake of Fire with Satan.

Yet, God by His own Hand shuts us in Christ, so we will be saved from the wrath to come. He does not abandon us to our own strength, but He shuts us in with His own Power, and protects us from all harm in this world and the next. How grateful and encouraged we should be!

TRUTH FOR TODAY : IT IS GOD WHO SAVES AND KEEPS US BY HIS OWN POWER!

Every Christian should know that it is not by our might or by our power that we are saved for eternity. It is by the power of God and His power alone! Jesus said - "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." [John 10:28-29]

Yes, we have responsibility. More than that, God expects us to obey Him as Noah did. Yet, if He did not give us His power through the agency of grace, none of us would make it. We, like the people of the Old World, would perish in our ungodliness and disobedience. Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be the glory! For, it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves. Better still, it is He that is saving and keeping us, and not man. No doubt, the Gospel is Good News!