I rushed home and opened my mailbox, quickly sifting through the mail, seeking out the identifying logos on the envelopes. It was the spring of my senior year in high school and I was hoping for an acceptance at one of my first choice colleges to which I applied. All of my classmates knew that letters of acceptance were sent out within these next few weeks. We knew when it would generally happen, we just didn’t know when it would precisely occur.
Most of us have experienced this uncertainty. It is the proverbial, “Waiting for the other shoe to drop.” The Bible records a similar tense and anxious moment in the life of one of the great saints. Noah spent 120 years constructing the ark that God commanded him to build. During this time, Noah preached to his friends and neighbors about the impending judgment of God, pleading with them to repent of their sinful ways and turn to God. One can imagine the ridicule that was hurled his way. It was probably the origin of public shaming! After enduring over a century of this, the time came for Noah and his family to enter the ark. After representatives of the animal kingdom were directed by God to enter the ark, God closed the door, sealing them in. God told Noah the flood would happen, he just didn’t know when it would start. And this was the problem. Noah waited for seven days, sealed in the ark with his family and numerous animals. The Bible does not tell us but with each passing day, Noah’s anxiety undoubtedly grew. I know mine would. If I was in Noah’s position, waiting for the other shoe to drop, would I have the faith to persevere? Noah did. He ignored the naysayers. He waited 120 years. He could wait a bit longer. He trusted and waited for the Lord to act.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalms 27:13-14 (NASB)
God always answers our prayers, but He answers by His timeline, not ours. We should not despair because we must learn to grow in faith and wait for Him to act. Whether it is seven days, weeks, or years, let not your heart be troubled. When we wait for the Lord, He promises to answer and bless us!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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