For 40 days the flood kept coming on the earth. The waters rose and lifted the ark with Noah, his family, and “every wild animal.” The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. After this time the waters receded and then, after another 40 days, Noah opened a window he had made int the ark and sent out a dove. Would the dove bring a sign that the journey was over? (Genesis 6-8)
Being caught in a storm on the seas is frightening enough after only several days. What of being tossed around for months, unable to see (for the ark was totally enclosed), and not knowing where or when the tempest would be over?
Are our darkest hours somewhat like Noah’s? Frightening? No end in sight? Future uncertain? Totally at the mercy of forces beyond our control?
God established a covenant with Noah to keep him from perishing. He commanded Noah to build an ark that would convey him to safety and, by bringing with him all living creatures, would sustain him while in the ark. Noah obeyed.
The first dove Noah sent returned with nothing in its beak. Noah waited another 7 days to again send out the dove. This time the dove returned with “a freshly plucked olive branch.” There was dry land, the tempest was over, and a new life was about to begin.
During our darkest times, let us send out prayer doves. The first prayer dove may not return with a sign of God’s favor. Nor the second. But let us always remember that “God remembered Noah,” and the olive branch—the sign of God’s favor and His grace and mercy—will be coming. Our flood of tears will recede. The tempest will be gone. And a new life may begin.
Christ is the ark of our salvation. His Spirit brings us signs that we are not forgotten. These signs may be long in coming and they may arrive in a form that is not immediately clear, a form that requires discernment. But they will come and grace will showered upon us. Like Noah, we must obey, wait, and trust
