Genesis 6: There is Always Hope When It Seems Darkest

(upbeat music) - Welcome to chapter by chapter four year journey through the greatest book, the greatest gift given to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. And we get to go through it, chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey that will be life changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy and even comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and wanna change but all in all, the journey's gonna be worth it. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. You will find more and seem more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by chapter. And today's chapter is Genesis six. I had a friend who was a pastor and he and his wife were dealing with the fear of having a child. I have heard about fear and pregnancy before and almost every time it has to do with miscarriage. It was about couples not wanting to go through the pain again of first celebrating the words. We're pregnant and then weeks and months later telling those same people we lost the baby. I've seen this too many times. That's what I associate with fear and pregnancy but not with this pastor and his wife. They said we're afraid to bring children into this kind of world that we're living in. We're afraid of the thought of seeing our child grow up and not live for God but giving themselves to sin in the mindset of the society. I've never heard that before. And then something happened to them. They got pregnant and the fears seemed to vanish and this is what they told me. We're going to name him Noah. That was something profound about that name for this child as we start Genesis chapter six today. I have to believe that these pastors read Genesis six and saw the contrast. Just three chapters after the fall of man, it's a world gone crazy. Jehovah God who once said it is good after each day of creation now says, "I'm sorry I made man." Listen to God's words of sorrow after seeing what sin has done to his masterpiece, the human race. Then the Lord saw the wickedness of man was great on the earth and the very intent of 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 the birds of the sky, from sorry that I have made them." God even said a boundary on man's life in verse three. Listen to this. The Lord said, "My spirit shall not strive with man forever because he also is flesh. Nevertheless, his day shall be 120 years. His day shall be 120 years." Just prior to this in chapter five, everyone's living to 800 and 900 years old. And then out of nowhere, God sets a limit. He shortens man's life. Why? My opinion, I think because of wickedness. I don't think this world could continue long with sinful human beings living for centuries. Shorter life spans was the mercy of God to preserve the future. In the midst of a chapter that is filled with sorrow, hell vomiting up, raping angels in the first few verses, something happens. God contrasts evil times with the righteous man. There was just one guy on the planet that God would highlight. Guess what his name was? Noah. With hell loose on the planet and heaven's regret being vocalized, one man stands out. It is this lesson that God always has a remnant, a light in the midst of the worst kind of darkness. These words follow God's statement. I am sorry I have made man, but Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, blaneless in his time, and Noah walked with God. That conjunction, the word but is like putting a diamond on a black velvet plate to show distinctly that this is real and valuable. In the midst of hell, there was a diamond, a righteous man who was blaneless and walking with God. In the darkness, one man's testimony stands out for different ways. The Bible says Noah found favor was righteous, blaneless, and walked with God. I think it goes without saying that by all expectations, Noah should have been part of the flood crowd, but God rescued him. Why? He found favor in the sight of the Lord. Favor is a word we will see over and over again in the scriptures. Favor is a spotlight on God's servant. It's his blessing, protection, support, and guidance. Usually favor is seen clearly because it happens in the midst of the worst conditions. Noah found favor in the worst conditions. Favor changed the numbers. He did not become a statistic. He became God's testimony on the planet. Favor is what rescued Noah from evil men. He walked in righteousness. He had an internal conviction controlling him. He was not influenced by popular opinion or unbiblical lifestyles and laws. He was blaneless. That means every area was committed to God. There would be no entry point for the enemy to gain a stronghold. What he watched, what he said, who he befriended had God say on it. All of this led to his walk. He had a relationship with God that moved forward. He picked up where Enoch left off. Noah is hope for parents sending children to public schools and universities, where hell is thrown every type of anti-God philosophy at them. Noah is hope that people can walk with God in a world that has lost its way. Noah is hope that righteousness is stronger than wickedness. Noah is a testimony that God will show favor on his people in the midst of the worst conditions. So when you see the worst in the world happening, look for God's best. There's always a Noah somewhere in the dark place. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder and beyond, but he's there. They're on your campus. They're on your job. They're in the locker room and in your office. God always has Noah's. There is always hope when it seems darkest and hope usually starts with one godly person. You know, I've never met that young child Noah that was born to those pastors, but I believe with them that their Noah stands out with the favor of God on his generation. Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the Word of God. We'll see you tomorrow.