Walk with Him: Check for Leaks

Moses 8, Genesis 6-11 — Come, Follow Me: Old Testament 2026
(February 9-15)

Three Thoughts from Me

Noah was instructed to “pitch” the ark with a tar-like substance, both within and without (Genesis 6:14). This waterproofing substance enabled the ark and all its inhabitants to safely travel in flooding waters. Two coats of pitch-one for the outside and one for the inside. God knew double protection would be needed. 

In this day of flooding wickedness, our external covering of pitch includes being with other believers by attending church, going to the temple, reading scripture stories, and serving others. But Satan is a master of finding our vulnerabilities, and if there are any minute spaces or holes, water will easily seep in and can become ruinous. An internal covering of pitch protects our hearts, our thoughts, and our will. Trusting in God and having the constant influence of the Holy Ghost creates an impermeable barrier of protection from worldly assaults.

I’ve been checking for my own leaks. A recent discovery came when I read Alma 5:15, “Do you look forward with an eye of faith…” I realized my lamp is full of oil, but I haven’t lit the wick. (Sorry about two analogies in the same paragraph!) I have faith, but haven’t been applying it to calm my anxieties about future uncertainties. With increased trust, I’ve plugged the leak and lit the wick, while humming the tune, “Come, come, ye Saints…though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, Our God will never us forsake, and soon we’ll have this tale to tell, All is well! All is well!” (Come, Come Ye Saints hymn).  Faith works. It’s the perfect pitch for protection.

Two Thoughts from Others

“The Hebrew word translated as ‘pitch’ is also the root word for ‘atone.’ It has been suggested that the ‘atonement of Jesus Christ provides us with a protective covering; it shields us from the power of the adversary, just as the pitch protected the ark from the life-threatening waters.’”  –Old Testament Scripture Helps

“One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season where the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you do not have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many.”  –President Dallin H. Oaks, BYU Speeches, February 10, 2026

One Question for You

Have you checked for leaks lately?  (Alma 5 has a good checklist to use.)