Shut In On All Sides!

This verse in Genesis 7:16 about the story of Noah leaves us a very interesting read, "The Lord shut him in and closed [the door] round about him." What could have happened had God not shut the door to the ark himself? A few thoughts would possibly cross your mind: people outside could have forced the door open to get it and then cause the entire crew to die from the flood; those within could have ran out of patience from the boring routine of being locked in and thus destroy the locks, etc. But God shut them in to prevent all of the many possibilities! Have you ever wondered the things God shut out from accessing you? Jeremiah tells us, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed." He shut you in and closed the door round about to prevent what could have consumed you; he shut you in to preserve you from contamination, and thus, preserved your future; he shut you in to keep your dreams alive while keeping out naysayers and doubters with all their cynical remarks that could have punctured your faith. He simply acted out His word, "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm" (Psalm 105: 15)! Hallelujah!