When our first child was a few months old, my husband and I decided to take a quick getaway to the beach. We packed food, diapers, and so much paraphernalia we wondered if the trip was worth the effort one small child added.
The Bible commends the faith Noah, a man who lived in ancient times. God told Noah to build an ark to save humans and animals from a coming flood. Imagine being given the assignment of packing provisions to sustain his family and all those animals for over a year. Without refrigeration, how did he do it?
Our family got a peek into how God may have handled this daunting problem one Easter season when my young children adopted a downy chick and baby duck from a farm supply store. Brant dubbed his duck Jordan. She bonded with Brant like a baby with its mother and entertained us with comedic splashes into a plastic kiddie pool.
Our family got a peek into how God may have handled Noah's daunting problem of caring for all those animals for a year on the ark.@DebbieWWilson #Noah, #Faith Click To TweetGinny’s chick Rosie grew into an independent Road Island Red. Rosie and Jordan scrounged for snacks together. Sometimes they’d mosey over to our neighbor’s house and peck their back door for Cheerios. Our backyard neighbor nicknamed them Poncho and Cisco.
My husband, Larry, built a pen for their nighttime protection. Unlike children, Jordan and Rosie bedded down without prompting. After Jordan outgrew the kiddie pool, we tried to release her at a friend’s pond where other ducks lived. We said our good-byes and turned to leave, but she clung to us like static electricity. We brought her home.
One morning, Jordan didn’t move. Heartbroken, I sat on my daughter’s white iron bed with an arm around each of my sorrowing children. From the window, we watched Larry, slumped shouldered, shovel a grave. We all grieved the loss of our funny friend.
While I watched, a movement behind Larry attracted me. A white head popped up from Jordan’s crate. Jordan climbed out of the box and started pecking at the ground behind Larry! Laughter choked my speech. I knocked on the window. Larry frowned, not appreciating my amusement.
“Behind you,” I pointed. “Look behind you!”
At that moment, Jordan zipped past Larry like Road Runner pursued by Wile E. Coyote. She sped circles around the yard, flapping and quacking. “I’m alive! I’m alive!” she seemed to say.
A friend and vet explained Jordan had been in hibernation, a coma-like sleep that doesn’t require food or drink. Jordan gave me a glimpse of what Noah must have experienced on the ark. How else could he have stored enough food for all those animals for a year? Hibernation would have kept the animals from being restless and from needing much food, care, and exercise.
Jordan and Rosie helped me understand another biblical principle. Jesus wasn’t exaggerating when he said a sparrow couldn’t drop to the ground without his Father knowing it. God has given each creature a unique personality.
The Bible says, “when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:15 nlt). In Noah’s time, wickedness brought judgment to the whole earth. God’s tears must have mingled with the rain when he watched people and animals that bore his thumbprint drown because of humankind’s violence. The rainbow is a reminder of his covenant and love for all creatures. The God who was big enough to cover every detail concerning the care of all those animals on the ark is big enough to cover your and my challenges today.
The God who was big enough to cover every detail concerning the care of all those animals on the ark is big enough to cover your challenges today. @DebbieWWilson #RechargeWednesday Click To TweetAdapted from Little Faith, Big God, Feb. 2020
The trailer below introduces Little Faith, Big God. I hope my new book on Hebrews 11 will encourage your faith as it has mine.
Little Faith, Big God
Hebrews 11 shows ordinary people who, by faith, pleased God. By exploring these biblical men and women who failed, got up again, and finished well, Little Faith, Big God will inspire you to persevere in your faith. Present-day stories and guiding questions invite personal reflection, application, and discussion. Let the ordinary people from Hebrews 11 show you how to live strong and finish well.
Find out more about Debbie’s new book by visiting her website: Debbie Wilson – Little Faith, Big God.
I had never thought about hibernation as a possibility on the ark. My son and d-i-l have visited the Ark Encounter in KY and saw one way Noah’s family might have organized the vast amount of supplies. Another theory is that the animals taken might have been babies, thus needing less room and food. Either way, as you say, God oversaw and provided for them abundantly, and He does and will for us, too.
Barbara, I’d love to visit the ark one day. And I look forward to meeting these great people of faith one day in heaven and hearing their stories.
I love the insight of hibernation and I loved reading the first several chapters of the book. The book brought this powerful reminder to me: “Where I see flaws, God saw magnificent faith. These imperfect men and women pleased God. That challenges and encourages me. Challenges, because we don’t get a pass because we’re flawed. Encourages, because God uses inadequate people.” And that was encouraging to this flawed and imperfect woman! Debbie, may God bless and use your words in the lives of many.
Thank you, Joanne! Won’t it be fun to meet these men and women of faith one day and hear their stories from their side?
Trusting along with you that your book will be an inspiration to many!
Thanks for sharing this fun story!
Thank you, Michele for your wonderful review! Blessings to you.
I smiled reading this again! Thank you!
Thank you, Bethany!
That hibernation fact is so interesting!
Because of our experience, when a seminary professor mentioned he thought that was what happened it stuck with me. I’d never seen anything like that before.
We used to raise baby ducks each spring. And each year more would die than would live as they began venturing out further in our pond. It was sad. Thanks for sharing happier experiences with your ducks! 🙂
Lisa, actually a raccoon broke into his cage and got him shortly after he was revived. The earth still groans under the curse.
How interesting! I never considered hibernation for the animals on the ark. It does make sense.
May your book touch many!
Thank you so much, Jerralea!
Debbie, I apologize for just now commenting. I love this post and love the story of Jordan. Who knew they go into a type of hibernation. Wonderful truths my friend. And congratulations on the new book! Looks great!
Thank you, Karen. God bless!