Read Genesis 6:1-8

Finding Grace in the Eyes of God

Do you ever look around at the evil in the world and long for the “good ol’ days”? You see the extreme violence and gross immorality and wonder where it all went wrong. You’re not alone. In fact, you’re in the same company as God.

Moses tells of a time when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). When one hears the news of riots and murders and sexual deviance, you almost have to wonder if it has ever been as bad as it is now. Back in Noah’s day, though, it got so bad that “the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Genesis 6:6).

God made the decision to destroy all life on the planet. Not only man, but “both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air” (Genesis 6:7). He decided to wipe the slate clean.

“But…”

That little word that sometimes annoys us so much, yet in this instance it was full of hope.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).

The world was a bad place. Man was constantly thinking and doing evil things. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” There was still hope.

Look back to Genesis 5:29, and notice what Lamech said about his son: “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.” Lamech understood that hope often rested with the next generation.

As bad as things can be today, there is hope for tomorrow because of people of faith like Noah. As long as there are people like Noah that stand out when everyone around them is wicked and continually thinking of evil schemes, there is hope.

Be like Noah. Stand out. Find grace in the eyes of the Lord.