But God, You Said Only 40 Days

God, you only said 40 days! Genesis 8:1-14 (Hsbc)

God remembered Noah, as well as all the wildlife and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. God caused a wind[a] to pass over the earth, and the water began to subside. 2 The sources of the watery depths and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky stopped. 3 The water steadily receded from the earth, and by the end of 150 days the waters had decreased significantly. 4 The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat.[b]

5 The waters continued to recede until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were visible. 6 After 40 days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made, 7 and he sent out a raven. It went back and forth until the waters had dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove to see whether the water on the earth’s surface had gone down, 9 but the dove found no resting place for her foot. She returned to him in the ark because water covered the surface of the whole earth. He reached out and brought her into the ark to himself. 10 So Noah waited seven more days and sent out the dove from the ark again. 11 When the dove came to him at evening, there was a plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the water on the earth’s surface had gone down. 12 After he had waited another seven days, he sent out the dove, but she did not return to him again. 13 In the six hundred and first year,[c] in the first month, on the first day of the month, the water that had covered the earth was dried up. Then Noah removed the ark’s cover and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. 14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was dry.

Recap

• It rained for 40 days and 40 nights as the Lord had promised 
• Judgment on the earth has already happened and now it was time to start all over again with one family – one faithful man 
• God causes the wind to pass over the earth; water began to recede and ground, and the flood gates of heaven is closed 
• 3 The water steadily receded from the earth, and by the end of 150 days the waters had decreased significantly – vs 3
• The ark comes to a rest and it’s not over yet, water is still receding – Noah and the animals can’t step out of the ark yet 
• 40 days later, Noah opens the ark window and sends out a raven to do a recon 
• The raven goes back and forth and in vs 9 – it doesn’t return 
• Then Noah sends out a dove, – at first it finds no resting place – then he waits for 7 more days and sends the dove back out 
• There is a lot of waiting 
• The dove comes back with an olive leave in her beak – an indication that is all clear 
• Charles Spurgeon made a spiritual point from the idea that the dove found no resting place. He explained that like the dove, the believer finds no true resting place in this world. “The world is said to be progressing, advancing, improving; but we cannot discover it. The same sin, the same filthiness, the same universally abounding unbelief, that our fathers complained of, we are obliged to complain of still; and we are weary with the world, weary with the nineteenth century, and all its boasted civilization. There is nothing upon which the sole of our foot can rest.”
• Perhaps you have seen a picture of the dove carrying an olive branch in its mouth, which, in the first place, a dove could not pluck out of the tree, and in the second place, a dove could not carry an olive branch even if she could pluck it off. It was an olive leaf, that is all. Why cannot people keep to the words of Scripture? If the Bible mentions a leaf, they make it a bough; and if the Bible says it is a bough, they make it a leaf.” (Spurgeon)
• Then Noah waits another 7 days – send out the dove and she does not return – meaning – it’s all clear 
• Noah removed the ark’s cover and saw that the surface of the ground was drying 
• There is a lot of waiting that we never really talk about 
• It’s written that after the flood – Noah waited for 376 days – one year +10 days before the land was completely dry
• The waiting period shows Noah’s patience and obedience – he didn’t leave the ark until God told him to even when things looked ready 

God has a plan

• The rain that began in Genesis 7:11-12 – was now stopped – God had control when it began and when it stopped 
• Three things happened instantly: 
  •  It stopped raining, the wind blew and the fountains and sky flood gates were stopped 

• • I feel like sometimes we put God in a box – God can only do this one thing at a time 
  • God is not constrained by multitasking as we are as human -Instantly He can!
  • I am speaking to someone here today that feels like God cannot, take care of your finances, heal you and at the same time have a beautiful retirement plan for you 
  • That God cannot restore your marriage, bring your kids back to Him and at the same time give you joy in the waiting 

• Explain: – 2 Kings 3:18 (Hsbc) This is easy in the Lord’s sight. He will also hand Moab over to you.

• King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the King of Edom joined forces to fight against the King of Moab.

• Elisha, who gave them a strange command to dig ditches in the valley even though there was no sign of rain

• • This spoke to me big time – In my life right now- there are many glass balls in the air and sometimes it feels like I will drop one and the rest will follow 
  • But I found peace in the scripture – that everything that is filling my cup, is a simple thing
  • He also reminds me in 2 Samuel that He in His strength, nothing is impossible 

• 2 Samuel 22:33–37 (Hsbc) God is my strong refuge;[a]
  He makes my way perfect.[b]
  34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer
  and sets me securely on the[c] heights.[d]
  35 He trains my hands for war;
  my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
  36 You have given me the shield of Your salvation;
  Your help[e] exalts me.
  37 You widen a place beneath me for my steps,
  and my ankles do not give way.

• • The Bible says that vs.1 – God remembered Noah as well as all the wildlife and all the livestock that were with him in the ark 
  • God had not forgotten Noah – This is God turned His Active attention to Noah
  • If you are a parent of more than one kid, you know what that means- they are all talking to you at the same time, seeking attention …and you are still doing other stuff 
  • Noah had been shut up in the ark for many a day, and at the right time God thought of him, practically thought of him, and came to visit him. Dear heart, you have been shut out from the world now for many days, but God has not forgotten you. God remembered Noah, and he remembers you.” (Spurgeon) 
  • How many times have we accused God of forgetting us 
  • And there is nothing wrong with asking God – where are you? Father takes this cup away from me 
  • The issue is when we want to have it in our time –not like Jesus – Let your will be done – Let you plan, your timing, your results take precedence 

• God has a plan! Even after the 40days 

• Genesis 8:4 – The Ark came to rest in the 7th month on the 17th day of the month – on Mountains of Ararat

• • Mount Ararat – 16,854 ft vs Rainier 14,411ft 

• This part is interesting one – Mount Ararat which is currently known as “ the mountains of Kardu” – modern Kurdistan region easter Turkey/Northern Iraq – mountain range is high, rocky and a cold place 

• • This was not a good place to land the Ark. If I had a choice, I would choose a valley- After all I have been locked in this thing for a year and now – you want me to hike down – Come on!!
  • Noah and the animals would have had a hard time getting down to fertile land 
  • There would be less vegetation or even water 
  • It was not an easy landing spot – Period 
  • One commentator said – “Mount Ararat was not a good place to leave the ark… However, if God’s purpose was to put the ark in a place where it might be preserved for thousands of years, then He chose an excellent place for it.”
  • God always has a greater purpose, even when something looks inconvenient
  • What seems inconvenient or unwise to us can actually serve God’s long-term plan perfectly.
  • Sometimes, God “parks” us in difficult places not because He made a mistake, but because He’s preserving us for a greater purpose
  • Just like the ark, you might end up “stuck” on a mountain, but that place could be exactly where God wants you to rest, prepare, or remain safe until the next season begins
  • Think about it – The water is receding and the Ark is going to rest on these rugged mountains yet – The ark did not strike upon a rock or fall to pieces, but rested in due season, by the hand of Him who rules the waters.”
  • Someone praises the Lord that He rules over everything- and specifically your life 

• Psalm 103:19 (NLT) The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything 

• • Tonight, I see you- the waters are high, you have sent out the raven ( prayers) and they seem to not be landing- You have not given up, you have sent the dove – and  praise God, there is a olive leaf, yet you open the window and the water is still not all gone – as matter of fact, you look with you natural eyes and here come the sharp, rocky mountains – you are wondering- where is the flat ground Lord – do I even have the strength to hike down 

• God has a plan! 

• • These words spoken to the Israelites are true today as they were in the past 

•  Isaiah 41:9-10  You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
  And called from its farthest regions,
  And said to you,
  ‘You are My servant,
  I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
  10 Fear not, for I am with you;
  Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
  I will strengthen you,
  Yes, I will help you,
  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

• God is reassuring His people that they are safe, chosen, and supported in His hands.
  Even though they faced exile, fear, and enemies, He is their protector, restorer, and strength.

What do I do while waiting?

• • God you only said 40 days and 40 night – That was easy-it’s raining (can’t go anywhere) – it easy to hold on  
  • Here comes day 41-60, 80, 100, 200, 300 and so forth – 364 days waiting 
  • How do I keep waiting when the promise is already spoken, the rain has stopped, and heaven seems silent but the ground is still not dry?
  • I love that the writer says, “God remembered Noah.” It reminds me that it’s rarely in the storm that we feel forgotten — it’s in the silence after the storm, when the rain has stopped but the promise hasn’t shown up yet
  • All because God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts 
  • I hear all that and more – His plans are great for those who loves him –Yes Lord, they are “but where do I put my hands when waiting” 
  • The question “What do I do with my hands?” is one of the most common concerns people have about public speaking, right up there with “What if I forget what to say?”
  • Do I cross my arms, put them in my pocket, do I use gestures, do I have open palms, how about the fingers, do I tap them, pick on them – you get the idea
  • Spiritually we are the same in the waiting – do I pray more, do I thank Him, do I fast, do I worship 

• Yet the answer is right there “Be still and know that I am Lord” – Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

• • Be still and wait for further instructions ( Keep the original instructions until He says otherwise) – as I have brought you this far- I have a plan!
  • It’s one thing if the Lord has locked the Ark- that easy, we wait until He opens it – Control my controllable 
  • It’s one thing when we are restrained in the Ark, and God has shut down the Ark, it another when the key is at reach 
  • Our lives are not in the Ark; we can walk to the “door” and just open it and walk out 
  • 150 days after the rain stops – Noah is glad that the water has gone down – But more days awaits – What do I do?
  • Before the Flood, God gave warnings, commands, and time frames for preparation — but He never told Noah how long the Flood would last or how long he’d be in the ark

• Genesis 7:4 (Nkjv) For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.”

• • These were the only instruction God gave Noah- there were no other foot notes – Noah had trusted the Lord in the 100+year it took to build the Ark and this was just a simple thing 
  • #IwannabelikeNoah
  • Just like Noah, we often step into obedience without knowing how long it’ll take to see the “mountaintops” again
  • But when we trust His word, the same God who closes the door on us for safety will open it again in due time
  • God told Noah when to go into the ark, but he did not tell him when he should come out again. The Lord told Noah when to go in, for it was necessary for him to know that; but he did not tell him when he should come out, for it was unnecessary that he should know that. God always lets his people know what is practically for their good.” (Spurgeon)
  • We have to be very careful to obey and wait on the Lord – otherwise we end up birthing Ismaels 

• Vs 13 -14 Then Noah removed the ark’s cover and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. 14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was dry.

• • Because he believed in God, therefore he removed the covering of the ark, and looked abroad, expecting by-and-by to see not only the tops of the mountains, but also a dry and green earth once more. True faith often goes to the window. If your faith turns her face to the wall, and expects nothing, I do not think it is genuine faith.” (Spurgeon) 
  • Covid story – I wanted no sickness – But He had already told me “This sickness will not end in death” 
  • I had to wait for Him to accomplish what He had set to accomplish in my life for His glory!

• Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
      They will soar high on wings like eagles.
  They will run and not grow weary.
      They will walk and not faint

• Psalm 27:14 (NLT) Wait patiently for the Lord.
      Be brave and courageous.
      Yes, wait patiently for the Lord

• Because even though He only said 40 day and 40 night – He has a plan!