I have lately very much enjoyed the thought that Noah had only one window to the ark, and that was at the top. This was a great mercy for him. For had there been any windows at the sides, Noah would most likely have been tempted to look out, to see what was going on around; and then he would have beheld things which would have filled him with sorrow and alarm. The Lord knew this, and, in His love, kept Him from doing so, and so provided that he could only look up. This kept Noah in a sweet sprit of dependence, and therefore calm and happy.
What a beautiful picture this is for the believer now, while passing through this scene of sin and death; because' his 'happy position is to be like Noah, always looking up. For if he gets occupied With the things around, that Which is 'going on in the world, or among God's people, then sorrow and weakness will be sure to follow; and he will be filled with despondency. God' has given us His Son to be the joy of our 'souls, and the l' Object of our hearts; telling us that we shall soon see Him, and be with Him forever. He is, as it were, Saying to us, " Behold my Servant whom I uphold; -mine Elect in whom my soul, delighteth." God would have us find our joy, where He is finding His, even in that Precious One at His Own right hand. God says to us, " Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice."
May we know the power and blessedness of this joy at all times: so shall we 'glorify Him as we pass through this world. Happy ourselves, we Shall help others to' be happy, Therefore let us be careful that we have no side windows.
COMPARE the faith of the Shunammite in 2 Kings 4; with that of her of Zarephath in' Kings 17. The latter put her dead into her boson], the former on the prophet's bed. Death reminded one of her own sin; it reminded the other of God's re! Sources: