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Scripture
After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him. Genesis 8:6-12

Observation
I would have opened the door of the ark a lot sooner than Noah. After being cooped up for one year in a floating barn with seasick animals, I would have been wanting to open the door to get some air. Imagine the stench! Noah lived up to his name and was patient as a man of peace. He conducted a series of scientific experiments and did not make a move until all the data were in.

There is much to learn from a 600 year old man about patience. When the ark skidded across land all eyes were probably fixed on the front door wanting it to open. But Noah waited carefully until conditions were just right. He had bevies, herds, prides, hives, rockeries, colonies, litters, gaggles, teams, packs, and cohorts of animals to think of. Once the door was opened there would be no putting the animals back inside. He had just one chance to get the timing right. So Noah waited until the perfect moment.

His waiting combined his own research along with his discernment of the voice of God. There was tolerance from the Lord for Noah to undertake his own investigations and there was prudence in Noah to wait until God had the last word.

Application
There are many times in life that my ark scrapes onto land and I pace to get out. But there is process to be considered. It would be a pity to survive the disaster only to watch all the animals sink into the mud or die of starvation because nothing had yet grown to feed them.

Prayer
Father, teach me patience and prudence like Noah. He lived like a man mindful of all who were on the boat. Help me to make my decisions mindful of all the passengers who are with me and open the door only when you say so. Amen.