Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
There are precious verses and passages scattered throughout the Word of God that stand out as being jewels of truth that speak great peace to the soul. The above verse is one of those jewels. It stands with passages like John 3:16, Romans 8:28, and 2 Timothy 1:12. While all of the Word of God is God-breathed, and all of it is manna for the souls of the redeemed, those jewels of truth are stored in our hearts to take us through those times when extra strength and encouragement are needed. The time of the reaping of godlessness is coming. Today, we must thank God for His grace and longsuffering patience, His love, and longing for all to be saved.
The world stood condemned before God. All were corrupted with sin. There was none good, no not one. (Romans 3:9-19,23) Noah was also a sinner, “...but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Beloved, salvation has ALWAYS been the result of God’s grace! Always! Men were never saved by their own good deeds or righteousness, or by endeavoring to keep the law of God. None were ever declared righteousness because they tried to be equitable, and to do those things that were considered right. Salvation comes because of God’s grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) The grace that was shown to Noah was imparted to all of the human family, for if Noah had not found grace in the eyes of the Lord, the human family would all have been destroyed in judgment.
Beloved, it is the grace of God that allows humanity to continue on its godless course today. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (That of His Second Coming), as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Some count the seeming inactivity of God as His not existing, or of His not being concerned with the wickedness of humanity. The flood of Noah’s day proves both to be untrue. The truth of the matter is expressed clearly in Galatians 6:7 where we read, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man Soweth, that shall he also reap.” The time of the reaping of godlessness is coming. Today, we must thank God for His grace and longsuffering patience, His love and longing for all to be saved.
Pastor Steve Smith