FEB 4

Genesis 6:8-12
Memorise Hebrews 11:7
“Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God”

Amidst the description of all the sin, immorality and abominations during Noah’s time, we see Noah – one who found grace in the eyes of the LORD. He was indeed a remarkable and exceptional man, for he was able to stand apart from all the worldliness around him and lead a life that was pleasing to God. Noah was unlike any other in his time, for the Bible tells us that he was “a just man and perfect in his generations”, for he walked with the Lord (Genesis 6:9). This does not mean that he was perfectly sinless, but that he was a man of faith who had the righteousness of God, and was sincere and upright in heart, able to maintain an unblemished testimony amidst the apostasy of his time. This description of Noah comes in stark contrast to the state of the world all around him, for the earth was described as being “corrupt before God”, and was “filled with violence”. God looked down upon the earth and was extremely grieved; so grieved that He decided to destroy the whole earth with the judgment of the flood. Noah, however, found grace and favour in the eyes of God, and out of His goodness, God instructed Noah to build an ark to save his own family.

Noah obeyed. Three times in Genesis 6 and 7, we are told that Noah did “according to all that God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22, 7:5,9). Hebrews 11:7, in giving us a commentary of Noah’s life, tells us that Noah obeyed by faith. By faith, he believed in God’s warning of a judgment by a flood, even though he had never experienced rain before. By faith he believed that the ark which he built according to God’s specifications would keep him safe. By faith, he preached to the people around him, warning them of the impending calamity – as 2 Peter 2:5 tells us, he was a “preacher of righteousness”. By faith, he gathered his family and all the animals into the ark, to the mocking scorn of the people around him.

Like Noah, we too live in a world filled with wickedness and unbelief. We have received the good news of salvation, and also the warning of a coming judgment. What will we do with this news? Will we be a preacher of righteousness like Noah, and warn others of the soon coming return of the Lord Jesus Christ? Will we be willing to bear the scorn of others? Will we live a life of faith and find grace in the sight of the Lord?

Thought: But without faith it is impossible to please God.

Prayer: Lord, may I too learn to live a life of faith and find grace in Your sight.