Genesis 8:6-11 (NLT)
After another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat 7 and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. 8 He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground. 9 But the dove could find no place to land because the water still covered the ground. So it returned to the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the dove back inside. 10 After waiting another seven days, Noah released the dove again.11 This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone.
When I read this, I couldn't stop thinking about the raven and the dove. I have always heard and remembered the dove, but don't remember hearing anyone ever talk about the raven. Even my son’s children's Bible overlooks the raven. As I began to think about the raven many things came to mind, but the dominant theme was one of "self". I could almost imagine this raven flying around what was literally a never ending sea of water. Determined to make a way using its own strength, it must have been completely exhausted and likely discouraged as it flew for days on end. Regardless of what direction it went or how far it flew, the same sea was always there. The closest thing I could think of relating to what the raven might have seen is deep sea fishing. After traveling many miles out to sea there is no sign of land, only a deep blue sea that disappears into an infinite horizon. I began to think about the times in my life I have flapped my wings much like the raven only to find myself tired, exhausted, and moving... yet not really moving at all.
Then, the dove came to mind. The dove could have done the same thing as the raven but it didn't. It didn't rely on its own strength and came back to the comforts of the ark. When it did, Noah held out his hand and brought it back into the boat. I couldn't help but think of all the times God has reached out His hand to me and brought me back into His place of protection and peace, just as Noah did for this dove. I imagine the dove resting and getting fed in the safety of the ark, completely unaffected by the external forces while the poor raven must have been tired, hungry, and weathered by the “storm". I think one of my favorite parts in this story is that this wasn't the storm of a lifetime, or even a century. This was the storm of all humankind! Despite the magnitude of the storm, the dove was still prepared for Noah to send it out again seven days later, and even again seven days after that. It was not only rested, it was ready! It was continually being used by Noah, three times as much as the raven, in fact.
Don't you know there had to be a huge smile on Noah's face and probably every animal’s face in that ark when the dove brought back that single olive leaf. After over half a year on the ark with every animal on the face of the planet, I'm quite sure they were all ready for some fresh air. Talk about a crazy and hectic life, Noah literally lived in a zoo!
Two birds, same opportunity. One accomplished very little on its own strength and the other accomplished much more by the strength that came from the nourishment, rest, and comfort that the Lord provided through Noah and the ark. Perhaps it's not the size of the storm, but rather where we find our source of strength.
Father,
Thank You for being our source of strength regardless of the size of the storms that our life may endure. Help us to find peace and rest in Your presence. Thank You for nurturing us and feeding us, and for always reaching out Your hand. We love You, we need You, and thank You for the opportunity to serve You! Amen.
After another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat 7 and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. 8 He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground. 9 But the dove could find no place to land because the water still covered the ground. So it returned to the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the dove back inside. 10 After waiting another seven days, Noah released the dove again.11 This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone.
When I read this, I couldn't stop thinking about the raven and the dove. I have always heard and remembered the dove, but don't remember hearing anyone ever talk about the raven. Even my son’s children's Bible overlooks the raven. As I began to think about the raven many things came to mind, but the dominant theme was one of "self". I could almost imagine this raven flying around what was literally a never ending sea of water. Determined to make a way using its own strength, it must have been completely exhausted and likely discouraged as it flew for days on end. Regardless of what direction it went or how far it flew, the same sea was always there. The closest thing I could think of relating to what the raven might have seen is deep sea fishing. After traveling many miles out to sea there is no sign of land, only a deep blue sea that disappears into an infinite horizon. I began to think about the times in my life I have flapped my wings much like the raven only to find myself tired, exhausted, and moving... yet not really moving at all.
Then, the dove came to mind. The dove could have done the same thing as the raven but it didn't. It didn't rely on its own strength and came back to the comforts of the ark. When it did, Noah held out his hand and brought it back into the boat. I couldn't help but think of all the times God has reached out His hand to me and brought me back into His place of protection and peace, just as Noah did for this dove. I imagine the dove resting and getting fed in the safety of the ark, completely unaffected by the external forces while the poor raven must have been tired, hungry, and weathered by the “storm". I think one of my favorite parts in this story is that this wasn't the storm of a lifetime, or even a century. This was the storm of all humankind! Despite the magnitude of the storm, the dove was still prepared for Noah to send it out again seven days later, and even again seven days after that. It was not only rested, it was ready! It was continually being used by Noah, three times as much as the raven, in fact.
Don't you know there had to be a huge smile on Noah's face and probably every animal’s face in that ark when the dove brought back that single olive leaf. After over half a year on the ark with every animal on the face of the planet, I'm quite sure they were all ready for some fresh air. Talk about a crazy and hectic life, Noah literally lived in a zoo!
Two birds, same opportunity. One accomplished very little on its own strength and the other accomplished much more by the strength that came from the nourishment, rest, and comfort that the Lord provided through Noah and the ark. Perhaps it's not the size of the storm, but rather where we find our source of strength.
Father,
Thank You for being our source of strength regardless of the size of the storms that our life may endure. Help us to find peace and rest in Your presence. Thank You for nurturing us and feeding us, and for always reaching out Your hand. We love You, we need You, and thank You for the opportunity to serve You! Amen.