By Tresa Walker
It is easy to get discouraged during difficult times and allow fear to control our thoughts and actions. It helps to remember that no matter what I’m going through, I can trust that God is there leading the way and will be with me each step of the journey. According to Genesis, Noah and his family were in the ark about 370 days waiting for the rain to stop, waters to recede, and the ground to dry. That’s a long time to be stuck on a boat with wild animals, livestock, and a handful of family members. No matter how large that ark was, it was not big enough to escape the smell or to find a moment of peace and quiet! As they waited for the ark to stop drifting and the ground to dry, they must have wondered if God had completely forgotten them.
There had to be days of fear, discouragement, doubts, questions, or just being frustrated with the situation on that stinky ark and even the changes waiting outside. As the only survivors after the flood, they may have also felt very alone. Don’t we all experience similar feelings while waiting to see God at work in our situation? “But God remembered Noah” (Genesis 8:1 NIV). God did not forget about them or leave them to their own devices to figure out what to do. In the Old Testament, remember means to pay attention to. In other words, God took action. He never forgot them! He had a plan all along and what seemed like a lack of action was more about His timing. When your situation has you beat down with worry and fear, know that God has not forgotten you. He is right there with you! He won’t leave you sitting in a stinking ark wondering what to do. When the timing is right, He will open the door, and you can plant your feet on solid ground as the sun shines brightly on your face. You are always remembered by God!
Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (NIV). God promises to be with us every step of our journey. In fact, He is not just with us but is leading the way. He is always one step ahead of us, and nothing will happen that is out of His control. Which of God’s promises helps you to remember that God is faithful to remember you today just as He remembered Noah so many years ago?
