Hello again my dear friend. Can you look with me now as we gaze upon divine history. One part of God's eternal plan of redemption is here making a great transition. Man had fallen in sin and his depraved nature made him evil continually. The justice and wrath of God caused a great flood of destruction. God was grieved but did not give up on loving his people. He imputed righteousness to Noah and gave him grace.

Noah's righteousness was exhibited by faith in the word of the Lord. He believed the flood was coming and therefore built the ark. He and his family entered as all others perished. The ark was not a luxurious cruise line. The door was made shut and deprived the inside of light and fresh air. It must have been sad for the family to contemplate all the death of victims to the providential storm. Why were they saved as others were left for dead?

It was a storm of great magnitude and with each wind and wave came haunting echoes of drowning souls. It was a ride f despair as the ark rocked back and forth, to and fro, up and down. It made minutes seem like days and days seem like years. Many cries were made for the ark to stop and open. How long will the turmoil of tragedy last?

But look how our text mentions the arrival of this boat back to land. "The ark rested". What a blessed way to describe the emotional condition of those inside the ark. They had by faith entered but knew the ride to be very rough. Their time in the ark was spent praying for rest. Now the ark found its resting place as it made a nest in the mountains of Ararat. Now the door can be opened to the fresh air upon a dry ground. Now the souls of just men made perfect by grace can walk in newness of life.

Oh my dear fellow saint take comfort for your earthly ride in life will also come to rest. The difficulties that seek to drive you to despair are only momentary sufferings. You have found grace like Noah but must now continue in your journey amidst the great storm of life. You should expect to be tossed about and grieved over the continuous sin in the world. Sure there will be daily chores that need tending in a dark smelly atmosphere. You will come close to that angel of death as you see others perishing around you.

Take much comfort knowing that the ark rested and so shall yours. Your soul is inside the ark of your body but it shall come to its day of rest. Many departed saints have gone before us to their resting place. The ark of the body will go back to dust only resting until the day of redemption. Noah's ark rested but the souls inside did not stay in the ark as captives. To depart from the body is to be with Christ in a great state of rest.

Observe how that day was numbered. In the seventh month on the seventeenth day. Each ark will have its day of journey end. That day is fixed and not one ark or sparrow can fall to its rest outside of the hand of God. How glorious that day was for Noah. The dove brought an olive branch and now he can walk on the land he so waited for. Now he can smell the fresh aroma of rest from his traveling nightmares.

So look up my friend and see a wonderful rainbow of hope. You are safely floating in an ark of grace but one day shall be made to rest. A day is coming when Jesus shall wipe all thy tears away. The waters of life shall recede as the Lord carries you safely to His heavenly resting place. He has prepared a room that you may be where he is. He has shed his blood to secure your resting place. Do not allow the devil to tell you that your current trials and ups and downs are forever. Hold on tightly to your faith as a divine gift that your redemption draws nearer and nearer to your final resting place.