But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 6:8 (NASB)
When I read the words of today’s verse I am reminded of the Statler Brothers’ Southern Gospel song, a fun song that focuses on Noah’s favored status before Almighty God. We all like to find favor in the eyes of those who mean much to us, it makes us feel good. On a completely different scale, to find favor in the eyes of Almighty God, the Creator, is beyond our reckoning and wildest dreams. Favor in the NASB is described as grace in the KJV, and both are found in the description of the Hebrew word chên from which they originate – favor, grace, kindness, and beauty being the descriptions given. These are the unbreakable links in the chain of God’s love for Noah; it is beautiful kindness given by grace to His favored servant.
These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.
In the next verse, we see why Noah was favored; 1. Noah was righteous, 2. he was blameless in his generation/time, and 3. he walked with God – he chose to be in communion with the Creator! Matthew Henry says that God had found nothing but wickedness in mankind, except for Noah which delighted God. Thus God chose him as His vessel for mercy on fallen mankind, and the forerunner of the Messiah who would bring mercy at Calvary. Noah was faithful, “doing according to all that God had commanded him”(Genesis 6:22).
Dear Reader, there were others who found favor in the eyes of God, such as Enoch (Genesis 5: 24) and Moses (Exodus 33:17). None of these men were perfect, they all had their flaws…but they loved God, and sought to serve Him to the utmost of their ability. It is their humanity that gives us hope; we too can choose to follow God and know the blessing of His smile upon us. May we find His favor today in surrendering our entire lives to Him.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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