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On the same day
all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.
Genesis 7:11
I remember the picture I had in my mind of the flood, the picture formed through the “story of the flood” before I had studied the Word of God for myself. This picture in my mind had the animals all nicely lined up two by two, walking up a plank into the entrance of the ark. Noah and his wife stood off to the side, watching the parade of animals and smiling at each other.
Then Noah and his wife and his sons and their wives would follow the last set of animals up the plank and into the ark and close the door. They would then look out a window and smile as the first raindrops fell to the ground.
In my picture, it would rain and rain and rain, and slowly the ark would rise and float off as the waters and the earth flooded. This is kind of a nice picture of the judgment of the earth—not at all accurate, but nice.
The truth is a little more dramatic.
First of all, it was not Noah who closed the ark door; it was the Lord (Genesis 7:16).
Second, the flood was not so slow and easy. The fountains of the great deep burst open.
Ever wondered how the Grand Canyon really was made? Let God burst open the fountains of the deep, and you’ll see a canyon. Have you ever seen the power of the geysers in Yellowstone ? They can’t even compare with what must have happened on this day. If you have ever questioned the validity of the flood, just look at the real evidence around you in nature. It is there.
My husband and I visited Sequoyah Caverns in Valley Head, Alabama Alabama
Some mighty powerful waters forever altered the earth as Noah and his family knew it. I also am pretty sure that Noah and his wife were not looking out the window and listening to the gentle rain on the rooftop of the ark. I believe they were inside the ark with their faces to the floor, praising an all-powerful God who had the authority and ability—and the right—to destroy them along with the rest, but was great in mercy and loving-kindness, and was true to His Word that He would save them if they trusted in and obeyed His voice.
Oh Father,
How mighty and awesome You are! You are He who creates, and You are He who destroys. You are He who creates life, and You are He who ends it. All things are in Your hands. All power rests in Your Word.
You are patient and You are compassionate and You are slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness, yet You will not be mocked. You will not strive with us forever.
One day we must face You—we will face You either in faith or in rebellion. Oh, how You desire that we face You in faith! You have made the way; the door is still wide open. Oh, that many would come. Oh Father, You have every right to destroy me, and yet You have chose to save me. How very good You are. How in awe of You I am.
My Jesus, it is in Your name I pray,
Amen.