1/5/10

Get Out of the Boat!

My family and I are reading through the Bible in a year. While reading my Bible, I was struck again by the story of Noah. One passage in particular drew my attention.

The passage can be found in Genesis chapter 8:

In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth had dried out. Then God said to Noah, "Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Genesis 8:13-16

Notice how Noah took the covering off the ark and saw that the ground was dry? He could have left then. However, he waited another month, until God told him it was time to go out of the ark. Then he left.

That got me to thinking....

How often do we see something that looks good and we step right into it before waiting for God to tell us it's ok to move? Noah could have moved right out of the Ark but waited for God's prompting. I can apply that to a current situation right now in my life. I have an exciting ministry opportunity that looks like a God thing. However, as much as I want to move on it, I know I need to hear God tell me it's the right time and place. Just because the ministry (or any situation for that matter) looks good and may even seem like a "God thing", doesn't mean He wants us to step into it. He might want us to wait for the right opportunity, or send us in a whole different direction.

The key is to wait on God. Go when He says Go and not one minute before.

2 comments:

B said...

a slightly cynical view would have Noah sitting around in the ark, comforted by the familiar, and afraid of the unknown mess outside. Maybe God's word to him was one of frustration at Noah's lack of initiative. Like, a kick in the pants to get going?

RDA said...

Maybe but I choose to see this as much more of Noah waiting on the Lord.