“I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you and you will enter the ark- you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.” Genesis 6: 17-18.
When God called Noah, he received some pretty specific instructions: build an ark to certain specification (Genesis 6:15-16); load up two of each animal (Genesis 6:20), and store up food (Genesis 6:21).
We read in Genesis 6:22 and Genesis 7:5 that “Noah did just as God commanded him.” But, the informative instructions stopped there! Even though Noah was obedient and righteous, God did not reveal His entire timeline to Noah before the actual flood. Noah received the instructions on How, but he did not hear How long.
Maybe you are facing a situation where you need to know some information about the future. Should you marry your current significant other? Should you take a certain job? Where should you go to college? The future is so often very uncertain. And sometimes, God outlines it all, and shows us the plans! And sometimes, like Noah, we must be patient and trust in Him. He will give each piece just in time, just as we need it.
Imagine Noah, withstanding the ridicule, loading the animals onto the ark. I wonder how he felt when the rain finally came down. “Aha! Yes, I am not crazy! The rains are coming!’ I wonder if he felt just a twinge of pride? He knew he was doing what God called him to do. Imagine, the rain pouring down day after day. Go to sleep and it’s raining. Awaken to hear the rain. After forty days and forty nights, maybe Noah too, began to wonder, ‘will this ever stop?’
Noah knew God was planning to establish a new covenant with him and his sons (Genesis 6:18). Noah knew that God declared He would start the earth anew. So Noah knew the rain would eventually stop. Theoretically, we too know that the challenges which come our way will stop. We know that the questions which plague us will be answered; they cannot go on forever existing as question marks. Yet, we are human, and sometimes, in the midst of those moments, we sure feel like it has been going on forever and will continue to do so.
What did Noah do? He obeyed. And, I imagine, he learned a bit more about patience. Stuck in that ark, with the storms raging all around, he knew he was tucked safely in the bobbing boat. Although surrounded by swift, deadly waters, God had Noah and his family held safely in the palm of His hand.
Noah probably did not know everything he wanted to know about this experience before it happened. But, he obviously believed God and trusted in Him. Trusted Him enough that he knew he needed to obey, knew God would carry out His word.
When we are in the midst of a storm, we need to remember and implement Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
We are commanded to “be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 Yet, sometimes, that seems mighty difficult. But, like the apostle Paul, we need to find joy in any circumstances, even in the midst of the storms.
Reflections:
1) Identify the storms in your life you are currently facing.
2) How have you approached God with them?
3) Memorize Psalm 118:24. Choose to rejoice in the day God gave you, even when it feels extremely stressful.
4) Recount other times when you faced stressors, and how God carried you through. Record those times in a journal, where you can turn back and reflect on those times when life tries to pull you down and you feel miserable.
5) Praise God for always carrying you through!
Thank you for reading! I love to hear your thoughts and read your comments! Please return by Monday, July 16 for the next post!