Those First Four Words

I sat with them in the waiting room and learned so much

Author

Steven Pawley
October 18, 2025

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Noah and his family (eight souls) have been deluged, devastated, then adrift for 150 days (Gen. 8:1-3). They’re sitting in God’s “waiting room” and we benefit when we sit there with them.

For 150 days they’ve carried the memories of recent turbulent events - the sights, the sounds - the scene of a flood of consequences few saw coming and no one could stop.

The Ark is their waiting room where they wonder what happened to those they love? What will happen to us?

In the waiting room we have lots of questions, right?

Sit with them and look around. Alone, adrift, no clear direction or answers but lots of questions… waiting for a word, any word, in a waiting room is tough.

Noah and his family did what God told them but have waited now for 150 days. The situation to this point hasn’t improved and not one word from the Lord.

What would you be thinking if you were sitting with them on those rough waters?

Has God forgotten about me? Am I forsaken? Did I do something wrong? Will news ever come?

What would Satan be trying to convince you of and what would your inner voice be saying? Waiting rooms can become a scary place and Noah’s story offers some help:

God doesn’t forget, so don’t fret! (Gen 8:1). Those first four words! You’re not abandoned, you’re just anxious. It’s normal. While waiting, remember, God remembers you.

Pay attention to small shifts and changes (v. 1-4). God lets you know He’s at work by giving you enough of what is needed, not desired. The waiting isn’t over but God’s at work (v. 4-14).

No amount of impatience or worry pushes God. But you can pray (Phil 4:6-7). Don’t test Him, just trust Him while He tests you. (BTW – He’ll help you pass the test!)

But then v. 15-16! Finally, word comes in the waiting room. God speaks; hope is renewed.

But before Noah heard God speak, he endured 378 days of silence, isolation, and storm. What sustained him?

Because he had right beliefs about God he found much relief while waiting and obeying.

Noah was strong in the Lord before the flood. He reminds you and me to work on our walk before entering the “waiting room.”

We wait by faith, not by sight. Did I get that right? (2 Cor 5:7)

Noah could have panicked, kicked the door open --- and perished! Waiting can be grueling especially when God chooses to stay silent.

Yet Noah leaned on what God instructed before the silence, trusted, and waited patiently (Psa. 40:1).

You know what? You’re not forsaken, and God hasn’t forgotten. You’re in the waiting room and God is too.

Check out the GO DEEPER section for more on this. Save it for some good reading the next time you’re in the “waiting room”. Feel free to share it with others who might be there now 😊

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GO DEEPER with Today’s Message:

Sooner or later, we’re all going to sit in the waiting room a whole lot longer than we thought or prefer. Here are some things to do and verses to meditate upon while you’re there:

Be Honest. Lam 3:1-20, 28. Your frustration is real, and God knows all about it. He can handle what pours out. Even Jesus gave honest expression to his emotions, and you can too.

Be Hopeful. One benefit of waiting on God is the new perspective that emerges when we choose patience over trying to push God Lam. 3:21-26, 27-32.

Be Humble. 1 Sam. 30:1-6d. Waiting can be hard and humiliating. Sitting alone gives us time to process. Expect a range of strong emotions and give God time to clearly speak into the situation.

Be Helpful. After giving vent to legitimate emotions there’s a couple other things that can help 1 Sam 30:6-8: Turn to Jesus (6e); Take Initiative (7), Trust the Process (8).

Be Hesitant Job 2:8-10. Impatience in the waiting room can draw us into saying things we might later regret or have to recover. Be careful what you give vent to.

Be Human Job 2:11-13, 3:1-3. God allows us to wrestle with the rollercoaster of raw emotions to teach us to worship while we wait for the writing of our last chapter (Job 1:20-22, 42:12a).

Cheering for you!

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