“Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. 5And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. 6 So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. 7 Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. 8He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. 10 And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. 11 Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. 12 So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.” Genesis 8:4-12 NKJV
God of the rolling seas,
Noah’s Ark was launched in the second month on the seventeenth. So it was afloat at least 5 months (Genesis 7:11). Their faith must have been sorely tested. Then the waters started going down and they maybe had a little hope – but no mountain tops till the tenth month!
Noah sent out a raven and heard nothing. Perhaps he feared his family would begin to loose hope or perhaps he had a wobble and so sent out a dove. She came back and that must have been exciting she came back and then depressing – no where to land? He gave the dove a rest and seven days later sent her again and she returned with a leaf. One green leaf giving hope and faith, or faith and hope.
We talk about having wilderness times in our faith. But sometimes we are just floating along safe and yet scared Lord. Sometimes we do not seem to here or see what next. Sometimes we need like Noah to just go on going on and wait, We are safe in Your care. Faith keeping us watertight not letting lies or doubts drown us. New beginnings do come but more often than not it is service as we sail. But no service is normal if it is for You Lord. Let us never become despondent, as we serve You, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And Father we thank you for the encouragement You send.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 7th January 2026
I will worship (I will worship)
With all of my heart (with all of my heart)
I will praise You (I will praise You)
With all of my strength (with all of my strength)
I will seek You (I will seek You)
All of my days (all of my days)
I will follow (I will follow)
All of Your ways (all Your ways)
I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise
I will bow down (I will bow down)
And hail You as King (hail You as King)
I will serve You (I will serve You)
I’ll give You everything (give You everything)
I will lift up (I will lift up)
My eyes to Your throne (my eyes to Your throne)
I will trust You (I will trust You)
I’ll trust You alone (trust in You alone)
I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise
Songwriter: David Francis Ruis