Follow His Spirit

"At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he made and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if  the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face  of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him." Genesis 7:6-9

Ravens are known for their carnivorous side. Their diet is mostly meat. It's no surprise that a raven would be able to survive in the aftermath of the flood with the remains. The earth had not yet healed as there was still death and desolation everywhere.

"He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore." Genesis 7:10-12

When the dove came back with the olive leaf, Noah knew that the earth was alive again. After that, the dove did not return to him anymore. There was no reason for her to come back.The ark wasn't necessary anymore.

Noah saw the signs. Noah understood that it was time to come out of their sanctuary.

I'm not so sure I would have. I read this and realized I would have been worried about the dove. Maybe something happened. Maybe it died in a mudslide. Maybe it starved. Maybe the earth wasn't ready. Maybe I wasn't ready.

There are times when we need to stay were it is safe, and there are times when we need to leave what we know is safe, and go where God takes us. Instead of being afraid, we should follow His Spirit.

---Joy