Finding God’s Favor in the Darkest of Times
by Lynette Kittle
Today's Bible Verse: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" - Genesis 6:8
Does it ever seem like the world is getting so steeped in darkness that it’s becoming harder and harder for people to walk faithfully with God?
Although our world probably doesn’t yet compare to the days of Noah, darkness seems to be on a steady increase. As Genesis 6:5 explains, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”
Scripture certainly paints a very bleak picture of the state of mankind during Noah’s lifetime, describing how far we had fallen away from our beautiful beginning in the Garden of Eden. Sadly, as Genesis 6:6 explains, it came to the point where, “The Lord regretted that He had made human begins on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled.”
God’s heart was truly grieved by the sinfulness of the people He had so lovingly created. Yet because He is long-suffering and extremely patient with us, it takes more than we can imagine for God to reach the point of regret. 2 Peter 3:9, describes how God is not slow in keeping His promises as we might understand slowness, but rather He doesn’t want anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Still even in the darkest of times, Genesis 6:9 tells us, “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”
So how did Noah find favor in the eyes of the Lord in the wickedest times the world had ever seen? And what does it mean to be blameless among the people of our time?
Scripture explains how God shows us what is good and asks us to love mercy and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). It tells us how He delights in our doing what is right and just (Proverbs 21:3).
Yet many Christians believe once they accept Christ’s Salvation, what they choose to do in life doesn’t really matter to God. They mistakenly think God isn’t paying attention to their actions because they are just one in millions of humans walking around on the world. But Psalm 14:2 tells us God is looking down from heaven on all of us to see if any of us are seeking Him.
As Christians, God calls us to “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).
Like in the days of Noah, the condition of our present-day world doesn’t excuse us from doing what is right and just in God’s sight (Proverbs 21:3). And although it may seem like it’s easier said than done, Philippians 4:13 assures, ”I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Just like Noah we can seek to be righteous and live blameless among the people of our day in a way that finds favor in God’s eyes, so that no matter what darkness is happening around us, we can walk faithfully before Him.
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, Startmarriageright.com, growthtrac.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Related Resource: Deepen and Defend Your Faith Today
The Faith Under Fire Podcast examines our Christian faith under fire. It covers stories from the fastest-growing, most vibrant church in the world: the Persecuted Church. You will get the inside scoop on what’s really going on with Christian oppression around the world–including the West, despite the media blackout.
Faith Under Fire brings you stories of the persecuted church and the transformative lessons they are trying to teach you. Learning from the persecuted church and from persecuted Christians around the world, your faith will grow to a place of real maturity, and your relationship with God will deepen.
