Numerous times over the past week I have heard a little statement in my spirit. The statement is ‘get in the ark!’ Of course I can’t hear a statement like that without thinking about Noah. As we all know, when God destroyed the earth with water, He first provided protection and provision for those who were serving Him and hidden in Him.
Many people become afraid when they hear things like that or when they read a prophecy that says there will be a shaking. However, fear should not be our first response, actually if fear is our first response I would think we are either in the wrong place or we are failing to remember the words of our God.
I love the scriptures found in Exodus 9 & 11. Let me share them with you. Exodus 9:4-5 says; “behold, the hand of the LORD will come with a very severe pestilence on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks. “But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”
Again we see in Exodus 11:6-7 that God makes a distinction; “Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again. But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.”
We see, not once, but twice, how God made a distinction or a difference between those who belonged to Him and those who didn’t. Therefore we have nothing to fear.
As we study further in the Bible we find that this time, with the children of Israel, is not the only time God kept His people safe during chaos. God also made a difference between His people at the Red Sea – what destroyed one group saved the other. Yet, again, we find God making a difference at Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s family was led out by God before the region was destroyed. And finally, with Joseph and his family. Famine was in the land and most people had no food, however, God had made a way before the famine hit for His people to be taken care of during the famine.
We serve the same God today. A God who is a covenant keeping God, who is no respecter of persons, what He did for them, He will do for you. And finally, He is a God who changes NOT. If He made a difference or a distinction with His people back then, He will do the same thing today.
If you are in covenant with Him and you stay hidden in Him, you will find protection, peace and provision.
I was thinking and studying about this today when I felt led to read the latest word by Bill Burns. Therefore, I went to his website and here is what I found.
August 24, 2015 – THE TRUMPET by BILL BURNS:
I saw storm clouds gathering and out the clouds came lightning with thunder. And, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Tell My people to find themselves in safe spiritual habitations for the days ahead of them will be laced with danger and judgment. Come into secure habitations. First and foremost you must walk in the Spirit, for evil is about to rain down.”
It sounded to me a lot like ‘get into the ark’. So, what do I think God is saying? Get into the ark – the ark of His presence. In His presence you will find all you need…protection, provision, peace…it’s all found in His presence. I want to remind you of Psalm 91 today.
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
Friends, it is true that gross darkness is covering the earth, but for us, those who are hidden in Christ, there is no reason to be afraid nor draw back, we have a covenant and we serve a covenant keeping God – as the darkness covers the earth, our lights will shine brighter than ever, of that you can be assured. Let it shine!
