The borders of many countries have closed, with their citizens in lock down, as a result of COVID-19 that is spreading across the globe. 

 

Perhaps we can now understand how Noah must have felt, locked up in the ark!   During that time it rained for 40 days and nights, but Noah and his family were in the ark far longer than that.  It took many days for the flood waters to recede before they could venture out onto dry ground.  They were in the ark for about 364 days.  A whole year!

 

The meaning of Noah’s name is significant, as are many Biblical names.  His name means ‘rest’.  On the day Noah’s family entered the ark, the floodgates of heaven opened, and so did the springs in the ground.  It must have been a wild ride, yet inside the ark the family was safe and at rest.

 

In the midst of these uncertain times God is calling us to enter his rest.  “Come to me,” Jesus says, “all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

 

How did Noah enter that rest?  It was by faith.  The Book of Hebrews tells us that Noah built the ark by faith, and when God told him to enter the ark, he did so by faith too.  What lay ahead Noah did not know, but he trusted God.

 

You may be struggling right now with anxiety, but God wants you to experience his rest.  Like Noah, the way to receive this, is by faith.  So confess your fears to the Lord, and choose to put your trust in the One who wants the very best for your life.  Yes, you may need to do this daily, or even hourly!  As you do, you will find rest.