A Good Day for Sailing

Scripture – Genesis 7:17-24: For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I never thought about how long they were actually in the ark – seven months or more! What was that like? There’s also a simple illustration of faith at work here. “As the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth.”

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) Sometimes the waters begin to rise and I feel like I’m drowning. There’s not enough money or not enough time or not enough energy. Yet when I stop struggling against the rising water and trust God to take care of me, like the ark, I’m lifted high above the concerns I have. Instead of being overwhelmed by the water, I actually sail on top of it. I’ve been worrying about some things lately. I will give them over to God and let Him lift me above them.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, you are amazing! I keep slipping away from the simplicity of faith. I look to you, and you take care of me. I can count on you to do that. Today I will do that. Already I’m feeling the lift of your Spirit. Thank you.