One of the things that always amazes me is how often we miss  critical details when we read familiar Bible stories. It may be because we have heard or read them so often that we don’t actually read them.

Let me cite a couple of examples from the account of Noah and the flood.

How many animals did Noah allow into the ark? Most people will say that’s easy. It’s two; he brought the animals onboard two by two.

The Bible has a different answer.

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. Genesis 7:1-3

There are pairs, seven pairs for clean animals and birds and a single pair for the unclean.

How did the Ark stay afloat when everything else, including boats, was destroyed?

Was it the construction? God gave very explicit instructions about how to build it.

And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits,its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.  Genesis 6:13-16

That may be part of the reason, but the larger portion of the answer is recorded elsewhere.

And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in. Genesis 7:16

The ark remained afloat, keeping its inhabitants safe because the Lord sealed them in and the flood out.

The Lord who sealed the ark for Noah, thus protecting Him, is the same Lord who seals us when we are Christians. It’s why Paul could say with confidence,

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37

Jesus put it this way:

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:28-29

Believers are sealed in by God. What a blessing.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Early this morning, I heard the eerie sound of foxes yipping. It  reminded me of a time when I was driving home after dropping our eldest son, Kris, off at a camp/retreat center where he was working for the summer. Off to the side of the road, I saw a big red fox. 

She appeared to be in good shape and had what looked like a rabbit in her jaws. I thought she was headed home to share the meal with her kits. Wherever she was going, she was making good time.

That sound and memory of the fox stayed with me the rest of the night, and I awoke thinking of Jesus’ words.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62

These are strange words from the Son of God, who came to save people. They seem almost harsh and uncaring. Do they mean that Jesus has no compassion?

Not at all! It was His love for us, His compassion for us, that brought Him to earth as an infant. He came to rescue us. This story is designed to show how people often respond to God’s call on their lives. It has nothing to do with the largesse of Jesus’ heart.

Like the men in this gospel account, we often declare that we are Jesus’ disciples. However, in this passage and others, He clearly tells us that following Him has a cost. Our faith and discipleship will be tested.

Yet, when push comes to shove and we are called to follow, we offer up some excuse or another.

I will follow you anywhere, Lord, as long as it is where I want to go and when I want to go. I will follow you anywhere, Lord, except there. I will do what you command, but surely, you do not really expect me to forgive “him,” do you? You do not really want me to give, do you? You cannot mean that I should be the one to give in.

Are any of these sounding remotely familiar? The truth is that “No, Lord” is an oxymoron. The only correct answer is “Yes, Lord”.

Following Jesus isn’t always easy. Anyone who says it is either doesn’t understand the truth or is a liar.

Are you saying yes when He asks? Or are you making excuses?

You will not lose your salvation if you say no, but you will miss out on many blessings. You will be the poorer for your reluctance.

Until next time, may you be able to say “Yes” to all that He asks of you.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.

Did you know that we have an email version? It offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).