Have you noticed how something small can become normal before we realize what it is doing to us? A sharp comment becomes our usual tone in a friendship. A little resentment becomes the way we think about someone all the time. We tell ourselves we deserve one more purchase, one more distraction, and one more way to escape. And somehow, it is never enough.
Genesis 6:1–8 brings us face to face with that pattern. Death and darkness have been spreading since Genesis 3. By this point, the problem reaches into the thoughts and desires of the human heart, so that it is more than behavioral problems. This passage can be an uncomfortable passage, but it also gives us a reason to hope.
God Sees More Than Our Behavior
Genesis 6:5 describes wickedness reaching into the intentions of the heart. We might read that and think, “Those people were terrible.” But then someone cuts us off in traffic, or a conversation doesn’t go our way, and suddenly death and darkness comes to the surface in our own life.
5 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.
Why Judgment Matters
We struggle with God’s judgment, but at the same time we also long for someone to stop cruelty, exploitation, and violence. If God allowed people to keep destroying one another forever, we would call that wicked. It’s because we want Him to bring justice. The uncomfortable part comes when we realize we need to answer for our own sin, too.
So where can we find hope?
But Noah Found Favor
Genesis 6:8 gives us a hopeful turn: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” The word “favor” means “grace” and God’s grace is unmerited, so that verse 8 is teaching us the righteousness of God was credited to Noah’s account by grace. Noah was just as layered in death and darkness as everyone else in Genesis, but because the Lord is full of grace, He put His favor upon Noah, because He put His favor upon Noah.
Even in the next verse, when it talks about Noah’s life being described as a man who walks with God. That verse isn’t pointing to the glory of Noah. It is pointing to the glory of God being lived out in Noah’s life, because the favor of the Lord was upon Noah.
This is why Jesus is so important. He sees the wickedness of our hearts and comes for us. He takes on flesh, lives a perfect life, and willingly lays down His life at the cross. He bears the judgment we deserve. Then He rises, offering forgiveness and new life to everyone who trusts Him. In Christ, we don’t have to hide the dark places from Him. But instead, we can bring those dark place to Him, because He already knows!
North Village Church
This article was written by Pastor Michael Dennis, Lead Pastor at North Village Church. North Village Church is a non-denominational church in North Austin, TX, near the Domain and serving the 78757 community. Established in 2009, we are built around Jesus and Bible teaching. If you are looking for a church in North Austin, we would love to meet you. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., encourage Christ-centered fellowship through groups, and offer opportunities such as Theological Training so that we can be rooted in God’s Word.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who want to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. Families can connect through our Kids Ministry and Youth Village.
NVC Online
Unable to attend our Christian church in Austin in person? NVC Online streams worship every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. You can also watch sermons on demand and follow North Village Church on Instagram for Christ-centered encouragement.
Recent Comments