Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Genesis 6
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:5-8)
After the fall and Cain’s murder of Abel, we see the rapid increase of evil amongst humans. Cain’s descendants continued the wickedness of their forefathers, seeing what was good in their own eyes and following their own desires instead of God’s.
We can see the arrogance of Lamech, who decided to take two wives for his own pleasure. He boasts of killing a young man and takes God’s promise to Cain in vain. Then we see the wickedness of the multitudes who took daughters of men to be their wives according to their own pleasing.
After the fall, everything declined. There was only left chaos after humanity decided to live their own ways. God regretted creating man on earth, and all this evil grieved His heart. Yet, amongst all this wickedness, one righteous man walked with God — Noah.
Notice how God preserves the lineage of His chosen children. God does not abolish everyone, although they deserve it. From the outset, God promised to save a number of people. God promised a Saviour who would redeem these chosen ones. And so, although wickedness prevailed in Noah’s time, God preserved Noah, a man who feared the Lord and continued His people’s lineage.
God continues to preserve His church today. Our secular age could be compared with Noah’s era — wickedness prevails. This is expected as the nature of man is evil, and there is nothing in a sinful man’s heart but “evil continually”. Yet, God preserves His chosen people today. There are, and there will continue to be, a holy remnant who wholeheartedly love God and serve Him. God is continuing His work this day to redeem people into His kingdom, to be part of this group of chosen people.
If we are standing in the path of truth amid our evil generation, it is not because we are good or righteous on our own account. We are just as evil as anyone else. Our hearts plan of nothing but wickedness. Yet, in God’s sovereign wisdom, He plucked us out of our sins and adopted us into His family to continue the lineage of people who would fear the Lord. He plucked us out to be part of His church which will be complete on the last day. Behold what grace He has given us! Praise Him for His steadfast love and mercy!
Lord, teach us to stand in awe at Your ways and works. We are able to know You not on our own account. We are sinful, and our hearts think of wickedness continually. Only by Your grace, we were plucked out of our evil ways. You redeemed us by the blood of Christ to be Your children — a holy remnant to serve and worship You. Teach us to do just that, O God. Teach us to serve and worship You. In Jesus’ name, amen.