Life Journal

Date:  01-03-2020

Title: Leaving People Behind

(S) cripture: Genesis 7:13-16 (NASB77) 13  On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark, 14  they and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, all sorts of birds. 15  So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. 16  And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.

(O) bservation: On the day it started to rain (I believe this is the first record of rain in the Bible) Noah and his sons and all their wives entered the ark with the animals. I feel certain that the rain was causing panic among the people and as Noah entered the ark I think many of them wanted to enter too. They wanted to escape the calamity that was to come. Noah, being righteous, I don’t think could close the door and shut them out. Here is where God steps in and does for Noah what Noah could not do for himself, Shut The Door to the ark.

(A) pplication: There are times in my life when I have been called to leave some people behind. Not because I am righteous and they are not or as a result of God’s punishment but it is leaving them behind just the same. In those times I have to trust the Lord to close the door and allow me to go on to what He has next for me. In my life it is not that I can never see or talk with those folks but I have moved to another place and cannot develop the relationship as we had when we were together. One of the pains of pastoral ministry is leaving the people of one church to go to another. Only God can give you the grace and strength to go forward. Today I thank God for his faithfulness to me and to those I have had to leave.

(P) rayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness in my life and in the lives of the people I have served in your name over the years. Thank you for allowing my life to be impacted by them and for allowing me to point them to you. Let each one sense you presence and blessing today. Amen