Thank God for bible stories!

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I've been giving the story of Noah's ark a lot of thought and consideration lately. I mean, really... can you imagine being stuck inside with your family and animals?

Genesis 7:24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

Oh my!

Chapter 7 verse 4 mentions it raining for forty days and forty nights. Noah was told about that. They were not aware there would be an additional 150 days of everything covered in water and they would have to remain in the ark. They didn't know how long to prepare for this unbelievable circumstance. They couldn't see how this was going to work out. Would anything ever be the same again?

They must have had a million questions for God. Build an ark, herd the animals, gather food? How will I provide for my family? What about education? What about my neighbors? And for how long? How is all this gonna happen? And let's not forget the big question: WHY. It's just too big a challenge! We won't make it! How is all this going to get done? Need a hint?

Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, CAME TO NOAH and entered the ark. (Genesis 7:8-9)

Whew! One thing off Noah's plate. But what about everything else? Is God going to help - with everything?

Can you imagine the anxiety and stress? Can you imagine the hope and trust in God needed? Will God supply the faith to survive such an event?

The rains came.
The waters rose.
The time of waiting and wondering began. I wonder how they passed their days - on the ark - just the family and animals. 

But then it happened. Chapter 8 says that God remembered Noah. It says the waters receded. They weren't able to jump off the ark right away and start living again. But signs came. They watched the raven fly away and return. They watched the dove go and come back with an olive leaf. Even after the dove flew away and did not return, still they waited for a signal from God. Even though it looked safe. Hmmm... I wonder what they learned, what they realized spending all that time in the ark. What do they now know about God that caused them to wait even though it appeared to be safe to go on land?

There are times in life when all you can do is wait. Wait for God.
And during the waiting, maybe we should seek Him, seek Him with all our heart.
And listen for His voice. His direction.

Maybe there's more to this bible story. A life lesson we could use right now.