The story we tell to children about Noah doesn’t often include the time it took for the water to recede before they could safely leave the ark. In all, they remained on the ark for a year and ten days. That is a long time to be cooped up with a bunch of animals.
I never noticed until this reading that Noah’s sending of the raven and the dove were because he couldn’t see the situation clearly. The design of the ark didn’t include a little cupola like that plastic toy. It didn't have windows. Just an 18-inch opening between the ark and its roof, which would not allow him to look down at the ground below the ark.
We’re in the same boat frequently. We can see God’s plan at a distance, and we’re trusting Him to get us there, but we aren’t sure exactly where to place our next step. The ground around us is a muddy mess and we don’t see a safe rock to stand on. We’re probably also surrounded, as Noah was, by people clamoring for change.
Maybe our best course is to wait on the Lord. Sure, it’s getting crowded and stinky in our ark, but God’s timing is perfect. When the moment is right, and the path is firm and dry, the Lord will guide us out. But until then, we need to sit tight.
So, today I’m hoping to remind myself to take a lesson from Noah. To not jump out of the boat into hip-deep mud, but to wait upon the Lord and trust His timing. Even when it is uncomfortable. Even when it seems like it’s been forever. Even when others are pushing their agenda.
Personally, I’ve gotten into some really sticky situations as a result of trying to forge ahead before the ground was dry. I’ve been called a G looking for an O, and that isn’t far off. My default setting is action, often without as much planning as might be beneficial. God knew what he was doing when He gave me a husband who loves nothing better than a thorough road map!
I never noticed until this reading that Noah’s sending of the raven and the dove were because he couldn’t see the situation clearly. The design of the ark didn’t include a little cupola like that plastic toy. It didn't have windows. Just an 18-inch opening between the ark and its roof, which would not allow him to look down at the ground below the ark.
We’re in the same boat frequently. We can see God’s plan at a distance, and we’re trusting Him to get us there, but we aren’t sure exactly where to place our next step. The ground around us is a muddy mess and we don’t see a safe rock to stand on. We’re probably also surrounded, as Noah was, by people clamoring for change.
Maybe our best course is to wait on the Lord. Sure, it’s getting crowded and stinky in our ark, but God’s timing is perfect. When the moment is right, and the path is firm and dry, the Lord will guide us out. But until then, we need to sit tight.
So, today I’m hoping to remind myself to take a lesson from Noah. To not jump out of the boat into hip-deep mud, but to wait upon the Lord and trust His timing. Even when it is uncomfortable. Even when it seems like it’s been forever. Even when others are pushing their agenda.
Personally, I’ve gotten into some really sticky situations as a result of trying to forge ahead before the ground was dry. I’ve been called a G looking for an O, and that isn’t far off. My default setting is action, often without as much planning as might be beneficial. God knew what he was doing when He gave me a husband who loves nothing better than a thorough road map!
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