Where Grace Abounds
“But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8 ESV
Reflection
In the late 70s and early 80s, home video game consoles such as ColecoVision, the Atari 2600, and later Nintendo hit the market. The first games made available to the home market were basic in nature and were simplistic and generic compared to the lifelike graphics we see in today’s video game market. One feature of the gaming systems that was appealing to many then and still is today is the ability to restart the game at the point where things are going wrong. True gamers will cringe at the notion. Depending on the game, a restart will send the player back to the starting point of the existing level, while in other instances, it results in a complete restart, sending the player back to the beginning of the game for a fresh start. At any point in the game, if the player fails to successfully execute or accomplish the purpose or mission of that game, the result is communicated with two daunting words, “Game Over.”
Application
In the sixth chapter of Genesis, the Lord saw that all the earth was filled with the wickedness of humankind. The world was full of all kinds of evil, including sexual impurity (Genesis 1), demonic possession (Genesis 2), corruption and violence (Genesis 11). The Lord regretted that He made humankind and seemed set to destroy man from the face of the earth. (Gen 7) In a way, it was game over for the creation that He once declared as good. (Gen 1:31) However, God had a different plan in mind. It is written:
“But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8 ESV
The Lord had every reason to obliterate humankind from the face of the earth utterly. He made man to be a reflection of Him, Holy and Just, and to serve as steward over His creation. Humankind had deviated from its original purpose and followed the desires of their hearts. In a sense, humankind utterly failed the mission. God had every right to pull the plug; instead, in a way, he decided to hit the restart button. In Noah, whose name in Hebrew means “rest” or “repose,”* God found someone in whom He could pour out His grace. God would preserve humanity and start anew through Noah and his family. (Gen 6:18-22)
Humankind’s rebellion against the Lord was great; the world was in the vice-like grip of its sinful nature, but God’s grace was greater. Let us never forget the power, depth and magnitude of God’s grace. Let us never take it for granted.
Explore the Word
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your grace so freely given. It is sufficient to cover all my sins. I did not earn it and don’t deserve it, but I humbly accept it. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Brad
*https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Noah.html
