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What does it mean that “God remembered Noah”?
When the Bible says that “God remembered” it does not mean God forgot about Noah. God knows all and never loses His memory. When God “remembers,” it means that He acts according to His covenant promises, especially in a way evident to His people
The word translated remember in Hebrew has a different meaning than in English. It has the idea to acknowledge. God acknowledged the fact of Noah's faithfulness. This is what is being stressed in the account - not that God suddenly remembered He had made promises to Noah.
It simply means that in the midst of the great flood, God stayed true to his promises.
In the Old Testament examples, the text uses the Hebrew word zakar, which means “to remember.” But the definition goes deeper, for it also means to bring someone to mind — and then act on that person’s behalf. Zakar, then, is as much direct action as it is a mental exercise.
Indeed, in every instance of God remembering, we see in the Old Testament that it always includes an action. For example, God remembered Noah, then made the water recede. God remembered Rachel, then opened her womb. And, years later, hearing the Hebrews’ cries for rescue, God remembered His covenant with their ancestors and rescued them.
This is then an important message of hope. In the midst of judgment, God always remembers mercy. He remembers those who suffer and he keeps his eyes on them. Though they suffer long and often feel forgotten, God will not abandon them. As God remembered Noah, even so, he will remember you and me. There is no trial so severe that it can separate us from the God who loves us.
APPLICATION QUESTION:
Have you ever felt forgotten by God? Remember God does not forget. He is true to His promises. Cling on to Him.
QUOTE:
Nothing will stand in the way of Him accomplishing His purpose in this world and in our lives. What God starts, He finishes, and nobody can hinder Him. Sure, delays will happen. Just remember, God is in charge of the delays as well as the progress. A. W. Tozer
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to remember that You are not a God who forgets, but a God who remembers. Help me to hold on to this truth today and experience Your grace. Amen
About this Plan
GLEANINGS is a one-year devotional through the Bible. It contains answers to key issues, application questions and quotes to think and apply, and a prayer of commitment at the end. The word Genesis means “beginning” and this book records the beginning of everything—the beginning of creation, man, sin, family, culture, and industry—except it does not deal with the beginning of God, because God has no beginning.
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