But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord… Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:8,9 ESV)
Noah and Grace
Why was Noah chosen to lead the Ark Expedition? It might seem it was because of Noah’s righteousness. But it was not.
Before Noah acted with righteousness, Noah found favor in the eyes of God.
He did not earn favor in God’s eyes. He found favor because God chose to see Noah favorably.
Noah’s obedience, all the way up the ramp of the ark, was due to that favor.
And that favor is another word for Grace.
This famous story is not an example of finding salvation through righteousness. It is a prime example of God’s Grace towards us that starts the salvation train rolling.
And I lean heavily on that. I rejoice greatly in that. I depend absolutely on that.
Because of my salvation depended on my righteousness, I’d be watching the Ark from the water.
But the Lord found favor with me, too. In fact the Lord has found favor with each of His children, or we would not be His children.
What a blessing God’s favor is.