For the past five years, I have walked through a season of change, growth, pain, sorrow and purpose in my personal life, not necessarily in that order. Throughout that season, I spent much time studying the word of God, listening to everything I could get my hands on for encouragement, and spending much time in daily prayer. I reread my journals to remind me of the promises God had made to me and to reinforce what I know is true about myself, the season I was in and God’s ultimate purpose in my life. Well…after five years, I didn’t really know what to study anymore, I felt like things were shifting and my season was changing but didn’t really know to what. So as I began to wait on God to reveal to me what was coming next, in the new season, I was at a loss for what to study in the Bible. So I simply started back at the beginning, in the book of Genesis.
I have always said the Old Testament is my favorite part of the Bible, and Genesis is my favorite book, and as I begin to delve back into Genesis 1, I was reminded once again why.
When I was 28 years old, I rededicated my life to the Lord. Up until that time, I had never really read my Bible, other than to memorize a passage of scripture as punishment for disobeying. Even though I was raised in a Christian home, reading my Bible was not something I did. So when I finally decided to give God a real place in my life at age 28, the first thing I did was to begin reading his word. I started at the beginning and read through to Revelation. The Bible is rich with treasure and as a first timer, I was amazed at just what was actually in the Bible.
When I began reading Genesis many years ago, the thing that stood out to me throughout the entire Old Testament is the undeniable sovereignty of God. As a young Christian, it was very comforting and made a big difference in my level of faith. Growing up “religious” taught me more about reward and punishment based on my works or lack thereof instead of about God’s sovereign Will and Grace. Don’t get me wrong, we do have free will, and I will save that topic for another time. Anyway…I as I was reading this week, I was once again reminded of the sovereignty of God.
This may seem like such a simple thing, but have you ever wondered how Noah collected all the animals to put in the Ark? I hadn’t really given it much thought. I just took it for granted that it happened. I have read the story many times and had many Sunday school lessons on the subject, but this week as I was reading my Bible, I noticed a passage of scripture that I have never noticed before. (You might be wondering how Noah’s animals fits in to everything else I was talking about, but stick with me, I’ll explain). When I read Genesis 6:20, the passage jumped off the page and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.
In the preceding verses, God is telling Noah he is about to destroy the earth and every living thing he had created because of the evil that man had done. He gives instruction to Noah about the upcoming flood, how to build the ark as well as everything God wished to be placed in the ark. Genesis 6:19-20 reads “…every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt though bring into the ark, to keep them alive with you, they shall be male and female. Of fowls, after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, TWO OF EVERY SORT SHALL COME UNTO YOU TO KEEP THEM ALIVE”. Did you catch that?? The Bible says that the animals of the earth will find Noah so that Noah can save them!!
I had always imagined Noah having to hunt and gather all the animals, making sure he didn’t leave anything out while herding them miraculously into the ark. But that is not what the Bible says. It says that the animals will go to him! I don’t know about you but that little sentence says so much about God’s power, authority and sovereignty over ALL things.
I have long held on to Psalms 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delights in his way” but when It comes to believing God for the BIG things or believing him for the things he promised concerning my loved ones, I have often fretted about the what if’s. It is easier to fear then to believe, that is for sure! However, there is a deep belief in my soul that knows God can do anything and his purpose and promises will prevail over everything else. However, in my moment of discouragement and waiting, God reminds me with the simplest of verses, that he can do anything, including sending every animal, bird and creeping creature on the earth to Noah in order to save them. Think about that! Every living thing submits to the authority and voice of God and obeys him.
If you are discouraged or wondering if or when God is going to answer your prayers, I hope this will encourage you. The Bible says in Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all Flesh: Is there anything too hard for me?” I say NO!! God is sovereign. He will accomplish all his purpose concerning you and concerning me!