Asswaged!

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

The floodgates opened, just as God had said they would.  There they were, Noah and his family and all the animals that God had instructed him to bring onto the ark...together, stuck on that boat!  Not for days, not for weeks, but months!  Over a year actually. 

But they were on the boat.  God remembered Noah.  In obedience and faith Noah built the ark "to the saving of his family".   All those that scoffed at it were lost in the deluge. 

Some days I find myself whining about some situation Rog and I are dealing with, whether it's at home with the farm, at the church, a family concern, or our job at the ranch.  Sometimes I am fearful and anxious about how something will turn out.  Satan would have me think we're all stuck on this boat and it's gonna go down!

But it's not.  God's got this. 

"and God made a wind to pass over the earth and the waters asswaged," Gen. 8:1b

Asswaged!  Is that an awesome word? (Gotta love the KJV)  The wind blew, and the waters began to recede.  Emphasis on began.  The waters did not disappear overnight.  They had to ride it out for quite some time.  But when the wind blew something began to happen.  Even before they could see evidence of the waters going down, it was.  They did not know where they would eventually land, but Noah was confident it would be safe and completely dry! 

I can have that same confidence.  God is that way.  He begins working and I don't often see it or recognize any change.  But it soon becomes clear that He is definitely at work.  I just have to be patient and "ride it out", knowing that I will safely land. 

God remembers. 

Dressed and Draped

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation, and draped me in a robe of righteousness.”  Isaiah 61:10

 He has dressed me.

My granddaughters are at the age that they enjoy dressing their dolls.  In fact, two of the younger ones enjoy dressing up everything…, themselves, stuffed animals, the dog…!  And they want everyone to see how BEAUTIFUL their “dirls” look (that’s three year old Lily talk for ‘girls’) with EVERY outfit!  Such fun. 

I get overwhelmed easily.  I write quite a bit about being overwhelmed.  But this overwhelmed is a good thing!  It’s being overwhelmed with joy in the Lord, my God.  Let’s break it down.

Overwhelmed ---with JOY!

Overwhelmed with joy ----IN THE LORD!

Overwhelmed with joy in the Lord MY GOD!

Why?? What has me overwhelmed?

He has dressed me.
HE…THE LORD MY GOD…has dressed me.
He has dressed me with THE CLOTHING OF SALVATION!
He has draped me in a ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

Thinking of my God delighting in dressing me the way my granddaughters delight in dressing their dolls just gave me a whole new perspective on this truth.  I know salvation is of the Lord.  It is definitely more about Him than it is about me, I just enjoy the benefits of His great salvation.  But thinking of how it delights the Father to dress me in His clothing of salvation, to imagine Him draping me with His robe of righteousness, well, it does something to me. 

I remember the way my Dad looked at me on my wedding day, seeing me standing there in Mama and Daddy’s bedroom in my gown.  He teared up and couldn’t say much, just that I was beautiful, that he loved me, and that I would always be his little girl.  Then, “It’s time to go.”  He may not even remember it.  It was 35 years ago, but I remember it still.  It brings a smile to my face, and when he is gone it will likely bring a tear to my eye, and overwhelm me with joy. 

That’s sort of what I felt when I read this verse and really gave it some thought, picturing a loving Father embracing me with His love this way.  I am overwhelmed with joy.  The Lord my God has personally clothed me with His salvation and draped me in His robe of righteousness.  Maybe you don’t have that kind of relationship with an earthly father; you can’t picture this kind of tender moment.  I’m sorry.  But I want you to know that God loves you that way.  He aches to have you experience the depth of that kind of love, one that would get personally involved in your life, and give you of Himself all He has to offer.  Believe me, once you grasp it, it with overwhelm you with joy too.