Genesis 6-7 | The Mercy of God

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8)

Every one of us who has ever lived deserves to be eternally separated from God because of our sin. We have all broken God’s law and turned away from Him.

GOD’S PERFECTION

God is perfect in every dimension. Therefore, He is not only perfect in judgment, but He is also perfect in mercy. It is what caused the complete elimination of man on earth to be spared, as we see in Noah and his family.

God found a man whose heart was turned toward Him. Instead of destroying the whole world, which man deserved, He chose to save the world. Peter would later tell us that this ark of salvation was a picture, or a type, of the Savior who would later come, providing a way of escape from the judgment of God for us all.

GOD IS LOOKING

… for that which He found in Noah in you and me. Men whose hearts will turn towards Him in humility and dependency. He is merciful and longs to forgive if we will turn to Him. He is so merciful that He even initiates His love toward us first, so that we may know how to love Him.

Lord, may you find in me, this year, a heart that is turned toward You. Thank You for Your incredible mercy towards me through Christ--mercy that brought salvation and forgiveness to me, that daily bears my burdens, that is my Comforter. Lord, let me live a life of gratitude for Your mercy.