Noah
is held before us here as an example of faith in Christ. His name means
rest, or resting place. Here the Holy Spirit tells us that Noah found
rest for his soul by faith.
In Genesis 6 we are told that all the
world was lost, cursed of God, and sentenced to suffer the wrath of God,
because of mans sin and apostasy from God. God was justly angry with all men
and determined to rid the world of fallen men by the flood of his wrath; but in
wrath, he remembered mercy. And we are told But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. The
Scriptures do not tell us that the Lord God found grace in the eyes of Noah, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
All men
deserved Gods wrath; but one man was chosen. All men were condemned, justly
condemned; but one man was justified. All men went astray from God; but one man
was called. All men were lost; but one man was saved. All men were unbelievers;
but to one man faith was given. Noah
found grace (not merit, but grace!) in
the eyes of the Lord. There is always a remnant according to the election
of grace.
A Divine Gift
Faith is a divine gift.
Noahs faith, like ours, was the gift and operation of Gods grace upon him
(Eph. 2:8). True saving faith is something that is bestowed upon and wrought in
chosen, redeemed sinners by Gods saving grace. Faith in Christ is not the
cause of Gods salvation, but part of it.
A Divine Revelation
Noahs faith was the result
of Gods revelation of his purpose of grace toward him (Gen. 6:13-14, 18, 22).
Faith arises from, is built upon, and believes Gods Revelation. Faith is no
more and no less than believing Gods Word. God told Noah what he was about to
do; and Noah believed him.
An Example
Noahs faith is held before
us by God the Holy Spirit as an example of how sinners are saved by faith. We
are told that, a picture is worth a thousand words. Here is a picture of
faith. God help us to see it and obey the example he has set before us. As Noah
fled into the ark, which he had prepared, we must flee into the Ark, Christ
Jesus, if we would be saved. The only way sinners can obtain that salvation,
which is in the Lord Jesus Christ, is by faith. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.