Wednesday, May 14, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

 

It's GOING to be Okay

 

Genesis 8:11 This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were ALMOST gone.

 

Many wonderful pieces of art have been created to depict Noah's Ark by illustrating beautiful pairs of animals entering the massive boat.

 

However, I often wonder what the reality was for Noah during the construction of the ark. First of all, I am sure he was battling with some serious rejection. People thought that he was a complete fool for building an ark since it had NEVER rained in their lifetimes.

 

Then, once it began to flood, I am also certain he was filled with grief over lost family members--brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, neighbors--all who refused to get on the ark. In addition to his mourning, he had to care for THOUSANDS of animals. Can you imagine the stench, the noise, the clean-up?!?

 

The rains eventually stopped but the waiting then began! Noah sent out a raven and then a dove in an attempt to see if there was ANY dry land. Today's verse says that the dove returned with an olive leaf signaling to Noah that the floodwaters were ALMOST gone. It wasn't okay just yet, but it was GOING to be okay.

 

Have you ever been there? Can you see yourself in any of Noah's emotions--grief, fear, restlessness, rejection?

 

My challenge to you today is simple and while it may seem trite, IT'S TRUE! You may not feel like everything is okay today, but it's GOING to be okay. Today's devotion is your "olive leaf," your reminder that YOUR waters WILL go down, and you WILL walk on dry land once again. In the meantime, hold on and trust God.

 

Dear Lord, I thank You that You are moving on my behalf and that through You ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

 

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

 

Reflection: Am I trusting God that everything will be okay?