After it started to rain for forty days and forty nights, during the time of Noah, the waters prevailed for a little less than half an year (hundred and fifty days) when Noah and his family were in the ark along with the creatures that Noah had taken into it. Genesis 8:1 says that “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him [Noah] in the ark …” What does this mean?
Close scrutiny of this text bring to surface certain treasures hidden in it — about the very nature of God.
First and foremost, it tells us of the unforgetting nature of God. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, does not imply that God had forgotten about Noah or any of the living residents in the ark, for God does not forget his people, let alone even a small bird like a sparrow (Luke 12:6).
Second, God’s righteous nature is demonstrated in this, for God not only cares for his people but also for his creation (all living creatures) as the Bible says that a righteous man (who is made in God’s image) regards the life of his beast (Proverbs 12:10).
Points to ponder:
Life may seem tumultuous and waves of despair and discouragement may buffet against our lives, but if you are feeling lonely and desolate, you can be assured of one thing … that you are not forgotten nor forsaken … for God remembers you. You may feel lonely, but you are not alone. Infact, even a mother can forget her child, but God will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15). God is righteous and kind toward his creatures and so we can be assured that he is righteous and is kind towards you and me. When we have to tide over the waves of life, as long as we are in Christ (The Ark), we can be assured that God will not forget us. Just as it is written, “And God remembered Noah …”, since God’s people are engraved in the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16), you can be assured and say, “And God remembered [insert your name here].” The question that remains, which demands an answer is “Do you/I remember God?” (Deuteronomy 8:18; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Proverbs 3:5-6)
Genesis 8:1 (KJV)
1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;
Luke 12:6 (KJV)
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Isaiah 49:15-16 (KJV)
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
