God told Noah to build the ark so human life would be able to survive the flood. Animals were also supposed to survive: "And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive" (Genesis 6:19-20).

God repeated this instruction to Noah just one week before the flood: "You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth" (Genesis 7:2-3).

Those who question the truthfulness of the Bible ask derisively how Noah could have caught or collected all the animals. The Bible answers their doubting question by referring to the "teamwork" between God and Noah: "Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah" (Genesis 7:8-9).

Noah didn't have to catch them, because the animals came to the ark on their own. God took care of that for him, because God knew that Noah wouldn't be able to do that on his own. But God did not build the ark for Noah, nor did He collect and prepare the food needed for the duration of the flood (Genesis 6:21).

In fulfilling his commission Noah did everything he was capable of doing himself. What Noah couldn't do himself, but was necessary for the job – getting the animals into the ark – God took care of for him.

This example shows us God's partnership with us. In our Christian walk with Him, He expects us to do everything that we are capable of doing ourselves. The things we need but cannot do ourselves, He will do for us.

We can always rely on our great partner!

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!