And the Lord Shut Him In

Guest post written by our priceless daughter:

“And the Lord shut him in.” Why? Wasn’t that cruel? Isn’t it unfeeling in the life of a Christian when the Lord shuts him or her in? Shuts them by circumstances, into an ark, where there is less light than the outdoors; close quarters; stifled air—all of which cramps their style. Isn’t it unloving when He constructs a wall around them, and the only way to survive and not go mad is to trust Him who orchestrated every event to shut them in thus? Christian, trust the hand that worked this. Trust the wise Creator who knows your frame. He made you—He knows you as no one else—He knows your frame—He knows what you can take—He knows the troubles that storm and breach the gates of your heart—He is not unfeeling. Trust Him who loves you and rest—He knows. Joy in that, glory in that. The God of the universe is all wise and all powerful. He plans for His glory, and part of His glory is the good of His children, of which you are one. Not one thing can come in between you and Him except your sin. If that is confessed, you stand white before him. Think of THAT! White, and sinless—holy, before a holy God. The child of the King of ages, brother to the Ruler of the skies. And He is planning your life. Can you not trust Him with it? Is He some toddler who might drop and break you or it? Is He not the most careful, tender, loving One imaginable? Why can you not rest in this? Outside your ark is a storm. The winds are raging, the rain is beating, the world is flooding. Here are you, safe, inside this ark of His protection. And you want to go out and swim? Love the interior of this ark like a beautiful mansion. Adorn it with the treasures you will find if you delight in Him. Open your eyes to the potential of the planks and shelves. During your stay, determine that this will not be a dark hovel, but a light and airy castle, strong through His strength, glorious through His glory, warm in His warmth, glowing with His radiance. Remember that heaven awaits, where you will meet Him, and be able to praise him as you ought, for you will see Him as He is. Long for that day, when you will see Him face to face—that King of all time who now commands your heart and mind and soul and intellect. When the loneliness begets tears, run to Him, hide in Him, not weepingly, but showing Him the raw spot, holding it out to be touched and soothed. Cry to Him. He will not laugh—He knows.

she's walking a 500 year old wall in a tiny fishing village on the North Sea, Scotland