Waiting for the doors to open

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 

I’ve had a lot of years of practice when it comes to not knowing what’s ahead. Of being uncertain. These are times that have led to beautiful moments of learning truths about God from Scripture. Today, they help me be certain in my uncertainty.

The word ‘certain’ means “able to be firmly relied on, unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond doubt”. Well, in times of uncertainty — and we’ve had a lot of that this year! — I have learnt to be certain of this:

• God is good. He always keeps His promises. And He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19)
• Even when you can’t see the road ahead, He is still in control (Genesis 39:20-21)
• When we call out to Him, He will answer (Psalm 55:16-17)
• In an ever-changing world, we serve a never-changing God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)
• God will never end nor will His plan return empty (Psalm 102:25-27)

In an ever-changing world, we serve a never-changing God

The promise of blessing

Have you ever thought about what it might have been like for Noah while he was on the boat? When we read his story, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on getting the animals into the ark — and even more emphasis on his glorious release back onto dry land after the flood. But how do you suppose he was living during the flood?

Day after day, he waited for the door to open. Are you feeling like that right now? Are you waiting for the Lord to open a door for you regarding your present uncertain situation or future?

In Genesis 8:17-22, after Noah and his family exit the ark, God tells the patriarch about the blessings He’s about to pour out. Towards the end of His description, He compares His promise of blessing to His promise to never flood the earth again.

Noah didn’t know about the promises God had in store for him while he was sitting in the ark with the door shut tight. Perhaps you are carrying a weight filled with responsibility and no reprieve. Whatever it is, ask the Lord for the strength you need until He opens the door. And be certain of this truth: our God’s promises do not change, even as you wait for doors to open.

Noah didn’t know about the promises God had in store for him while he was sitting in the ark

Detours are not the end

We see another reminder of God’s faithfulness in the story of Naomi.

Naomi had lost her husband and her two sons. Finding herself a widow in a strange land, with a responsibility for two younger widows, she decided to return to her homeland. Ruth stayed the course with her, yet she arrived in Israel feeling empty-handed. Her outlook reflected it too, for she said: “[You might as well] call me Marah (which means bitter).”

Naomi thought God was finished with her. What she didn’t know was that she’d just had the privilege of escorting her daughter-in-law Ruth to her new homeland and into the arms of a kinsman-redeemer named Boaz. She also had no idea that Boaz and Ruth would go on to become part of the genealogy of the Saviour of the world.

Naomi’s story wasn’t ending when she thought it was — it was only changing course. A course that she wasn’t expecting, but one that God used to fulfil His promises to His people.

When we head over to Matthew 1, we see 14 generations from Abraham — the one to whom God first spoke of His promise — to David. At number 12 is Naomi’s grandson, Obed. Naomi thought God was done with her, when in fact, she was being blessed. We too can take heart and be certain that God is moving and working assuredly, even in the midst of our uncertainty.

No matter what you’re facing today, you are still His. And God always keeps His promises. He will not remove His unfailing love and His covenant of peace from His children (Isaiah 54:10).