Genesis 6:1-12

As to the destruction the Flood caused, the whole race—computed to be well over 1,000,000 people alive at that time—perished. Only four men and four women were spared because they did not go with the great sin drift. After more than 1,600 years of human history, the race was so utterly corrupt morally that it was not fit to live. The gruesome fact of the Flood is that there are limits even to the mercy of God…. (Lockyer, Herbert. All the Miracles of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961.)

In all that God saw—the wickedness of man and the evil intent of the heart of man—he also saw Noah. And Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; he had God’s favor upon him (v. 8). God’s extending grace to Noah meant that there was new life and new hope for mankind in the days ahead.

God makes it clear to us that Noah was not spared because of his good works alone; he is spared because he believed in God as Creator, Sovereign, and the only Savior from sin. He found grace for himself because he humbled himself and sought it.

Noah’s description in the Bible is astounding. He is described as a “just” man, a “perfect” man compared with those of his day, and he walked with God (v. 9). When I read that, it made me wonder what my “life description” would be. What about you? How would you be portrayed?

Pray that God would give you some of Noah’s characteristics. I long to be more like Noah, and I realize it starts with an obedient heart.