Times may seem unsettling, frightening, and polarizing, and that may cause us to question our future and actions. We may wonder how we will raise our children in a wicked time, how we will make a home, serve others, help, survive, and so on. Though, may encouragement be found in understanding that there was a more wicked time than today, in the days of Noah, as every intention of thought, from the heart of man, were continually evil, yet God still gave Noah and his family a way.
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5 English Standard Version)
Noah had his future made for him to prosper by God's will, and the evilness surrounding him did not overtake his family, nor were he without a plan from God.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (Genesis 6:11 - 22 English Standard Version)
Likewise, Noah's family was shown prospering, or thriving and having a fortunate time, by having been kept from the flooding of the Earth. So, may prospering not be confused with not seeing trials or having such, but instead thriving and being fortunate in them, as Noah was allowed to have so in a time of destruction.
Takeaway
Now then, may we have encouragement in understanding that we will be found fortunate in hard times, because we are with the Lord. As well, the Lord will have a way for us to serve Him and be kept by Him; so, may we seek His way in the trials, as a way out of trials is to use them for His glory.
Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 New King James Version)
For we are already fortunate in trials that are headed our way, as we have Him with us, and therefore opportunity to glorify Him, obtain His rewards, and be made better by such.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11 - 12 New King James Version)
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3 - 5 English Standard Version)
As well, may we find inspiration in a verse that some may argue to be overused, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 English Standard Version); yet thank God as His Word is powerful, and does not come back void, even if used with poor intentions by man.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 New King James Version)
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:15 - 18 English Standard Version)
So, the words spoken by the Lord to Jeremiah are true and were true for Noah as well. His words are not limited; thereby, may we find inspiration, knowledge, truth, and so on, in His word, for our future, our sake, and most importantly, for His glory.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 English Standard Version)
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 English Standard Version)
Have hope!
With love,
Claire Belle
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