Genesis 7-8

Noah entered the ark, and started to wait.  For seven days there was no cloud in the sky, and not a drop of rain. Waiting is never easy; it gives us time to question. Being human, Noah had to wonder, “Was it really God? Have I been a fool? What if I got it wrong?”

On the seventh day the rain began to fall.  It didn’t let up for the next 40 days and nights.  Noah waited. Waiting is never easy; it gives us time to worry. What if it never stops raining? What if the boat leaks?  What if the food runs out? How are we going to make it?

The waters flooded the earth for 150 days. Waiting is never easy; it gives us time to experience regret and loss. Everything Noah had was washed away in the flood. He had lost everything except his family. Did he regret being unable to save more people? Did he mourn the loss of neighbors and friends?

The waters began to recede and Noah waited. Waiting is never easy when we’re anxious to get started with our new life. He was stuck on the ark doing nothing. He had work to do.  He had a new life to build. It was a new start and he was ready to get started. Waiting is hard because it requires patience.

Finally God told Noah to come out of the ark. Noah built an altar and gave up a burnt offering of thanksgiving. The waiting had been worth it all. Waiting on the Lord is always worth the wait.