This Bible study is all about how to handle seasons of waiting.
Get access to the complete Genesis Bible study and free guide Here!
Have you found yourself waiting on God for something to be done? Many people in the Bible also experienced this time in their life, including Noah. Noah waited over a year in the ark, waiting for God to fulfill his promise. Because of Noah’s faith during this time, he was declared righteous. How can you trust in God and rely on Him during your seasons of waiting?
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Read about seasons of waiting before reflecting on it below
Genesis 7-9
The right response during seasons of waiting
In Genesis 7:1, God tells Noah “I have found you righteous in this generation,” and in these three chapters we see how Noah walked with God. Noah spent 120 years building the ark without any visible assurance for what he was doing. He then spent 7 days inside the ark before he even saw any rain. This was then followed by 40 days of non-stop pouring. Finally the rain stopped. But the earth was still completely flooded for 150 more days. Noah was in the ark for about a year, waiting on God to do what he had promised – make a new land. Noah was able to remain faithful to God during this time, and God sustained Noah, his family, and all the animals while they were in this season of waiting.
How do you respond in seasons of waiting on God? Do you trust in His plan or do you try to make your own way in life (2 Peter 3:9)?
Worshiping while waiting
The earth was completely dry before God told Noah to come out of the ark. Noah waited on God and listened for His command. Then Noah built an alter to worship God (Genesis 8:20). He did not worry about how he was going to get food, or where to build a shelter; he simply put God first and worshiped Him.
Is worship your first response, or your last? How do you worship (Psalm 63:1)?
Related Post: Embrace the Journey | Bible Journaling Through Genesis
The importance of the rainbow
Finally, God gave the rainbow as a sign of His covenant. There are three other places in scripture where a rainbow is mentioned, and each place is in reference to God’s eternal throne and His glory. Revelation 4:3 says that a rainbow encircles God’s throne, and Ezekiel 1:28 says that God’s appearance is like a rainbow in the clouded sky. God placed a reminder of His covenant right next to His throne, His promise to man is set close to Him.
What are your seasons of rainbows and reflecting on God’s promises? Does your perspective of God change knowing that He placed the sign of His promise next to Himself (Hebrews 10:23)?
Choosing to do right
Noah’s sons show an example of choosing to do what is right vs what is wrong. When Noah became drunk, his son Ham found him in his naked stupor and declared it to his brothers. His brothers then proceeded to cover their father and show respect for him.
What actions in this story show sin? Why was it right for Shem and Japheth to cover their father (Exodus 20:12)?
What is your response during seasons of waiting and rainbows?
How do you respond when you are stuck in a period of waiting on God to fulfil what He has promised? When you are in a season of rainbows, how do you reflect on God’s promises and what they mean in your life?
