“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)

Everyone enjoys being remembered. Everyone wants to be seen. One October a few years ago, a woman in our church took the initiative to supply greeting cards on a Sunday morning for people to write a note of appreciation for our pastors. In all my years of pastoral ministry, I had never seen such a response nor been so moved emotionally as I was reading those heartfelt words.

After forty days of rain, God remembered Noah–not that God could ever forget any of His people.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15, NKJV)

God sent a wind to pass over the earth. The Hebrew word for “wind” is the same word that is translated “Spirit” in Genesis 1:2. As the Spirit brooded over the waters in the beginning, now the Spirit (wind) passed over the earth. In a sense, this was the world’s re-creation.

We all need re-creation, a new beginning, spiritual regeneration. This is what happens to us when we believe in Jesus Christ and are converted.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

But this does not need to be a one-time event! We can be renewed after any trial or hardship. In fact, the Lord loves to minister to us after we have faithfully endured suffering. Because God cares for us, He sends His Spirit to revive us. Often this begins when we pray and seek God with all our hearts.

Would you agree that we need a fresh spiritual wind to blow upon our world? What would it look like if the Holy Spirit descended on our churches and brought conviction, confession, and genuine spiritual revival?

“Will You not revive us again that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6, NKJV)