October 31, 2025
Hope Isn’t Gone
JACKIE SMITH-BELL
Lee en español
“But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” Genesis 8:1 (NIV)
The notification lit up my phone, alerting me that my biopsy results were in. My heart raced. Before I opened the message, a wave of uncertainty washed over me.
Storms often arrive without warning: a health diagnosis, a spouse’s silence, a child’s rebellion, a job loss, an unexpected news headline.
I’ve been there, too, waiting for something to heal, to steady my hope, to change. I’ve had seasons when my job felt unstable, my marriage felt fragile, and motherhood left me worn thin. The world felt heavy, and so did my heart. Quietly I prayed, God, please don’t leave me in this.
Lately I’ve been thinking about Noah’s waiting. God preserved him through a massive flood, but when the rain stopped, the earth was still underwater. It seems God gave no timeline or updates, just silence. Noah had obeyed God completely. Still he drifted in the floodwaters, perhaps wondering if God had forgotten him.
Then we read: “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark …” (Genesis 8:1).
In Scripture, when God remembers, it’s not because He has previously forgotten. The Hebrew word zakar also means “to call to mind in order to act.” It signals that God is about to move with compassion and purpose.
And God did in Genesis 8:1: “He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” The ark came to rest. Then came signs of hope: A dove returned with a fresh olive leaf. Eventually, dry ground appeared.
But God didn’t stop there. He invited Noah, his family, and every animal out of the ark into a new beginning. He set a rainbow in the sky as a promise never to destroy the earth by flood again … a reminder that His faithfulness never wavers.
God didn’t just shelter Noah from the storm; He preserved purpose in the middle of it and restored what was lost.
God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s absent in our waiting. It’s often the space where He’s working, preparing, protecting, and making a way.
Today if you’re feeling adrift and abandoned, still waiting and wondering what’s next, anchor your hope to these three truths, friend:
- God sees you. You aren’t forgotten (Genesis 16:13).
- God is working even when it’s not apparent (Isaiah 64:4).
- God equips you to wait well just like He did Noah (Genesis 6:14-16).
Sometimes the rain stops but the waters remain high — healing and hope don’t always arrive all at once. Yet in God’s great love and unfailing compassion, the waters will subside and hope will rise because God is a promise keeper.
My hope isn’t in what I see. It’s in the One who remembers me. And He remembers you too.
Dear God, thank You that Your remembrance means action. When I grow weary in the waiting, remind me that I’m not forgotten. I take comfort in knowing Your timing is perfect, and I rest in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Join Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and counselor Jim Cress for a free livestream on November 5 for a chance to win a copy of their upcoming release, Surviving an Unwanted Divorce. Whether you’re living in the throes of a divorce, still processing things that happened years ago, or helping someone you love through a devastating season, during this livestream, Lysa, Jim, and Joel will answer your questions (yes — they’re listening to voice memos and responding to them!) and share their heart behind this needed message. Reserve your spot by signing up here!
ENGAGE
For more encouragement, you can connect with Jackie Smith-Bell on Instagram or check out her three-day Bible plan on YouVersion, Abiding Hope: Standing in Faith When Life Is Crumbling.
Also don’t miss her four-day Bible plan, Shedding Shame for Surrender: Finding Healing in God’s Love.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (NIV).
Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (NIV).
How has God shown Himself faithful when storms threatened to overtake your life?
Take a moment to share your story with someone who’s discouraged. It could be what they need to help them trust God through whatever storm they are facing right now. You can even start by sharing your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Jackie Smith-Bell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
