{Noah}

This morning, as I was taking the children to school, we encountered a beautiful rainbow spread across the crystal blue sky. It wasn't a half rainbow jutting from the clouds, which is what I'm accustomed to seeing. But a full-scale rainbow, both arches brilliant rays reaching down from the clouds, disappearing beneath the earth's ground in the distance. An amazing sight to behold!

I thought of Noah, and how he must have felt when God instructed him to build an ark. Not a young, youthful man, but one exceeding the age of 500 years. I thought of the surprise of his fellow people, and the ridicule he must have endured and suffered, as he hammered each nail. Ridicule that didn't last for days or weeks, but for years as Noah consistently and faithfully continued to build. And I thought of myself and my walk with Christ. How many times do I cower and not take the stand as strongly as I should for God and my faith, in fear that I might offend someone, or come across as a fanatic? A name I'm sure Noah heard a time or two from his very own family and closest friends.

God made us many promises and being the visual people that we are, He even gave us the rainbow to solidify and reinforce one very important. How alone and isolated Noah must have felt, as he took a step and stand in faith. But Genesis 6:9, says, "...and he walked with God." One of my favorite and most cherished promises comes from Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." What an assurance that God does indeed walk with us, and that he will never leave us, not even for an instance!

My heartfelt desire: To be a Noah!

~Rhonda :)