Water. I love to drink it. But floating on it? Not my favorite pastime. Remember Noah? He spent some quality time afloat in that giant boat. Everywhere he looked—north, south, east, and west—water. Just water. For forty days and nights, the rain came down, unrelenting. I imagine Noah sitting in that ark, surrounded by the noises of animals and the pounding rain, wondering, How long will this last? Can God re-create the world? Can we begin again?
Then, one day, the boat bumped into something solid. The rocking stopped. Maybe Noah breathed a sigh of relief. But still, all around him, there was nothing but water.
Noah, ever the man of faith, decided to take action. He sent a raven. It didn’t return. So, he tried again, this time with a dove. Holding his breath and praying, he let the bird go, watching it until it became just a speck in the sky.
All day, he waited for that dove to return. And when the sun dipped below the horizon, he saw nothing but water— water to the north, water to the south, water to the east, water to the west.
We know that feeling, don’t we? The long stretches of waiting. The endless nights filled with tears, questions, and prayers. We’ve stood where Noah stood, surrounded by our own floods.
Grief over a loss. Frustration with illness. Fear of the future. We’ve rowed through the waves of betrayal, disappointment, and heartache, trying desperately to keep our heads above water.
We’ve been there. Still in the boat, wondering if we’ll ever see dry land again.
And just like Noah, we need hope. Even the tiniest glimpse can sustain us.
That’s what Noah received when the dove returned— with an olive leaf in its beak. An olive leaf! Proof that something new was growing, that the floodwaters were receding, and that God was still working.
If you’re a Noah today—watching, waiting, praying for just a glimmer of hope—remember these promises: Genesis 8:1 – “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
Genesis 8:11 – “When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!”
Genesis 8:21 – “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans.’” The olive leaf wasn’t just a sign of dry land for Noah— it was a symbol of God’s faithfulness. It was a quiet yet powerful message: I am still here. I am working for your good.
Whatever floods you’re facing today, God’s promises are unchanging. He sees you. He hears your prayers. And just like Noah, you are held in His perfect plan.
As we enter this New Year, remember that new beginnings are in God’s hands. He is the author of fresh starts, the giver of hope, and the sustainer of our faith. Let this year be one in which we keep our eyes on Him, trusting that He is working even when we can’t see the dry land.
So, keep watch. Trust that the same God who brought Noah through the flood will sustain you, too. God is there whether your boat is rocking, stuck on a mountaintop, or still lost at sea. He’s the dove of hope, whispering to your heart, I’m here. I’ll carry you through.
Hold on, Noah. The olive leaf is coming.
