And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark. Gen 8:1

God cares for you. Be assured that He cares for you and knows your present condition and circumstance. He cares for all His creation, especially you whom He made in His image (Mt 6:26). Find in the scripture passage that how “God remembered Noah” and those who He led into the ark. If God leads you to something, He will lead through it as well. I can imagine how easily it may have been for Noah to become restless and anxious as he waited to leave the ark and return to things as they were. Day after day he went about his cores to feed and tend to all the inhabitants on the ark. His responsibility never changed. The scenery never changed. Endless amounts of water as far as the eye could see. Oh, how he may have longed for the feel of cool green grass under his feet or to recline in the shade of an overgrown sycamore tree. In time he watched his food supply diminish and decrease, but it never failed. God’s supply is always sufficient, and He is never slack. God was faithful to remember Noah amid the dark clouds overhead and the deep dreary water beneath. Though his life seemed to be adrift, drab, and dreary, he lived “according to faith” (Heb 11:7) that God will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5). By faith, Noah came to know that God is also an on-time God. God called Noah and his family into the ark following the harvest season, and He would remember and send him out in time to plant and sow. My friend, God cares for you and “shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). Trust Him at all times and in all seasons of your life. When your finances have faded, your friends are few, and you feel overwhelmed with disappointments, difficulties and doom, know that God cares for you and has not forgotten. Hear God when calls unto you and says, “Come in,” and know that in His timing He will say “Go forth.” My friend, trust God to lead you through the dark clouds of your life that you may one day see His rainbow and build an altar of self-sacrifice and self-giving to worship unto Him in spirit and in truth. Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and loving kindness to supply, sustain, and secure me “according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Great is Your Faithfulness. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. Ps 52:8

Young tender plants are placed in a greenhouse to nurture them, strengthen them, and help them thrive through harsh to survival. The olive tree is an ancient plant natural to the Mediterranean region. It thrives in the warm habitat and abundant sunshine like that of a greenhouse. Our scripture passage illustrates to us the care and comfort found “in the house of God.” The house of God is where God is present. It where we can find and experience His mercy. Those who come to God can receive mercy for whatever the need. His mercy is tender to the brokenhearted, healing for the wounded, loving-kindness and gentle for all His children. His mercy is great and unmeasurable. His mercies are endless and never cease. Though we stray and linger from His presence at great lengths of time, He is ready to receive and forgive. His mercies are undeserved, “that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). God’s mercies are true and faithful, compassionate, and new every morning (Lam 3:20-21). His mercy is trustworthy that the child of God can “trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.” Father, thank You for Your loving-kindness, tender mercies, and Your faithfulness that never ends. You are my light and my salvation. My hope and strength. I will trust in You. “Great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam 3:23). Father, into Your presence I go that I may find help, healing and hope, that Your eternal oil might flow in me and through me for Your glory. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me. Job 29:2

Memories of the past can bring comfort and strength to help in turbulent and troubling times. Like the brightness of the sun which appears from behind the storm clouds and rain, pleasant memories of the past appear out of the darkness to overshine the clouds of gloom, dreariness, and despair. Present dissatisfactions can drive our minds to look back on the sunshine and sweetness of days past, yearning for the warm comfort of friends, fellowship, and family and brightened by the glories of past successes. We find in this scripture passage the comfort of God’s faithfulness and His presence in troubled times. Awakened to the pleasurable memories when His presence was near, and when His peace filled our hearts, we can hear the cry of our heart say, “Oh that I were as in the months past.” Dreary and dampened by the desire for new things, we have drifted, and the evidence of His presence is so distance. Pressed for more popular conversation and communion for present things, prayer is neglected, and the closet is closed. Affections are stirred and occupied with other things, more than God, rather than things in heaven. In these times, the child of God is reminded of “the days when God preserved me” and like the prodigal “when he came to himself…I will arise and go to my father” (Lk 15:18). We too can return to our Father to enjoy the peace of His presence, the forgiveness of His fellowship, and the pleasure of His present hope. My friend, do you know the goodness of God? Have you yet to know the love God has for you through His Son Jesus? He loved the world and gain His only Son for you that you may have eternal life with Him and not perish in your sin. God is faithful and faithfully loves you unconditionally. There may be times when you will drift, or spiritually decline, but my friend, be reminded by the pleasant memories of His fellowship and faithfulness. God hasn’t gone from you. He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5). Ask His grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with Him.