June 5

Morning

And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in. — Gen 7:16 BSB

Noah was shut in, separated from the world by the hand of divine love. In the same way, God's electing grace forms a barrier between us and the world that lies in wickedness. We are not of the world, just as our Lord Jesus was not of the world. We cannot partake in the sins, pleasures, and pursuits of the masses. We cannot play in Vanity Fair’s streets alongside the children of darkness because our heavenly Father has shut us in.

Noah was also shut in with God. The Lord’s invitation, “Come into the ark,” made it clear that He intended to dwell there with Noah and his family. In the same way, all of God’s chosen people dwell in Him, and He dwells in them. How blessed it is to be included in the same circle that holds the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us always be mindful of that gracious call: “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself for a little while until the wrath is past.”

Noah was shut in so securely that no evil could reach him. The floodwaters only lifted him higher, and the winds only carried him on his journey. Outside the ark, there was ruin, but inside, there was peace and safety. Outside of Christ, we perish, but in Him, we are perfectly safe. Noah was so securely shut in that he had no desire to leave, and those who are in Christ Jesus are in Him forever. They shall never be cast out because God’s eternal faithfulness has shut them in, and no evil force can drag them out. The Prince of the house of David shuts, and no one can open. And when, at the end of time, He rises and shuts the door, it will be in vain for mere professors to cry, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” for the same door that shuts in the wise virgins will shut out the foolish forever. Lord, by Your grace, shut me in!

Evening

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. — 1 John 4:8 BSB

A Christian's distinguishing mark is their trust in Christ's love and their return of affection to Him. First, faith stamps its seal on a person by enabling the soul to say, as the apostle did, “Christ loved me and gave Himself for me!” Then love responds, imprinting on the heart gratitude and devotion to Jesus in return. "We love Him because He first loved us."

In the heroic days of early Christianity, this dual mark of faith and love was evident in every believer. They were people who understood Christ’s love and leaned on it as one leans on a tried and trusted staff. Their love for the Lord was not a quiet, hidden feeling that they kept locked away in the private chambers of their hearts. It was a passion so powerful that it showed itself in their actions, conversations, and even in their very expressions. Love for Jesus was a flame that consumed their innermost being, and from that burning intensity, it shone brightly in their outward lives. Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the hallmark of all genuine Christians. Because they trusted in His love, they were bold, and because they loved Him, they did great things for Him. It is no different today.

God’s children are governed by love at their core—the love of Christ compels them. They rejoice in the fact that God’s love is set upon them, and they feel it poured out in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. Out of gratitude, they love the Savior with pure, fervent hearts. My reader, do you love Him? Before you sleep tonight, give an honest answer to this serious question.