Live on Purpose

Have you ever felt trapped?  It is a suffocating feeling isn’t it?  Whether it is a physical, emotional, or spiritual sensation, it is one that makes us feel very uncomfortable.  It is a feeling so uncomfortable that at times, we feel like there is absolutely no hope.

I can imagine that is exactly how Noah felt while he was on the ark.  He had obeyed God to the letter and was saved from the flood of the earth, but here he was with his family, sitting on a stinky boat full of unhappy creatures (not to mention the animals) and there was NOTHING in sight but water!  

If you read the story, though, something happens in Genesis 8 that really excites me and I’m sure it did Noah as well.  It is displayed in 3 simple words…

* REMEMBERED – Verse 1 says that “God remembered Noah.”  I’m sure for Noah those long days and nights with nothing to do but wait felt like God had forgotten he and his family.  Have you ever felt like that?  I know that I have!  God leads you to a place and then just seemingly leaves you there!  Be encouraged today – God never forgets His children!  He remembers you always.  You are never left alone, stuck in life.  He remembers!

* CAUSED – Verse 1 then says that “God caused a wind to pass over the earth and the waters began to subside.”  God had a plan in place for Noah and He has a plan in place for you.  When the time is right, He will cause the circumstances surrounding you that have you “trapped” to subside and His plan will be accomplished in your life.  Trust and be patient.

* SPOKE – Verse 15 says that “then God spoke to Noah…” and gave him clear instructions to move forward in His will for Noah and his family.  Once God sets His plan in motion, He will give you the instructions you need to know.  Then you just obey!

Interestingly enough, if you continue to read, you will see that there is one word that describes Noah’s response to God’s faithfulness and it is found in Genesis 8:20…

* BUILT – “Noah built an altar to the Lord.” Noah realized that God had moved in his life when his life was the darkest and his only response was to build an altar of worship.

I don’t know where you are in life, maybe you feel trapped today, maybe you have been trapped but God set His plan in motion in your life…whatever the case may be, take comfort from Genesis 8 and this portion of the story of Noah.  God is faithful and he has not forgotten you.  He has a plan for you and He will see it to completion. (Philippians 1:6)  If He has rescued you and remembered and spoken and caused in your life, then be like Noah and build that altar of worship to Him, for He alone is worthy!