Genesis 7-8

Genesis 7:24 - 8:1   ²⁴ And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.  8:1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.

I was chatting with a friend a few days ago over coffee.   We enjoy getting together and sharing what’s new and going on in our lives.  As we were talking, a sadness fell over my friend.  She started with one thing, which led to another, and another, and another struggle she was dealing with.  As she spoke, tears started streaming down her face.  She shared about challenges at work and at home, extended family issues difficulties managing her time.  She said instead of a bump in the road, she felt like she had slammed into a wall.  Then she looked down and whispered, “I think God has forgotten me.”

So many of us have felt this way.  Each struggle we deal with by itself is no big deal, but when you pile on five or six; or seven or eight challenges, life starts to fall apart.  No one seems to have time for you, and truly, you don’t really have the energy to talk with anyone if they made the time.  Prayers don’t seem to be answered; in fact you wonder if God even hears your prayers.  Does He even still care?

I wonder if Noah felt this way.  Once the rain started, he and his family knew God had spoken.  Historically, they had never seen rain before.  God had always irrigated the lands, so this thunder and lightning and rain were probably a scary sight.  After forty days, the water stopped rising, but this journey wasn’t over yet.  For 150 days Noah, his family, and all the animals were cooped up in the ark.  I can only imagine Noah “doing rounds” just to pass the time.  But I’m sure more than once they were ready to get off this ride.

After 150 days “God remembered Noah.”  Now don’t read that wrong – God never forgot Noah.  It wasn’t as if God were tending to other matters and thought, “oh yes, I must get back to Noah and his family and do something about that water.”  It is more like God saying, “we’ve waited just long enough, now is the time to move.”

God didn’t forget Noah and God doesn’t forget us.  I can promise you that!  Oftentimes He’s waiting for just the right moment to move.  Other times, He’s waiting for us to get out of the way so He can move.  Whatever you’re going through right now – just remember – you’re going through.  We can’t go around and bypass challenges (most of the time), but with God’s help we will get through…even if He seems to have forgotten.  My friend and I have started to pray that God would remember her…and start moving!!  Maybe this needs to be your prayer too.

Be encouraged!   God is with you!!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy