M-g: 12.10.10 // Genesis 6:8, Faith Floats

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 

This is the first appearance of the English word grace found in the Bible. The setting makes this word stand out like a glowing candle in thick darkness. Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man had flooded the earth with spiritual darkness, and man’s heart was captivated by evil all the time. God decreed to destroy all of mankind, but Noah and his family would be graciously spared. 

Noah’s life was that light that shone in the midst of darkness gone viral. It was said that he was a righteous man, blameless, and walked with God. He loved God and lived for Him just like his great-grandfather Enoch did. Rather than being translated to heaven like Enoch (Gen 5:24), God had other plans for Noah. 

Once God had closed and sealed the door of the Ark made of gopher wood, only eight people in the whole world survived the global flood. Enoch walked with God, and God took him home. Noah walked with God, and God suspended Noah between heaven and earth in the Ark and then brought him back to earth as the waters receded after so many days to repopulate the earth.   

Personal faith in Christ’s death on the cross for our sins rescues us from the penalty of sin which is eternal death or separation. Only Jesus is our Ark of safety from such an eternal separation! An ark only works if we walk through the door. Should we be outside that door once it door closes, we are doomed. Jesus said, 

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).  

For by grace are we saved through faith; Noah knew all about saving faith; it’s rather simple really, 

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Heb 11:7). 

Grace provided an ark but only through faith in Christ will we ever reach heaven’s shores. Faith floats on the water; unbelief sinks to the depths... <><