Foundations Week 1, Day 3

Scripture Read:  Genesis 6 - 7
Title: Noah, The Righteous Man
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse::  "But Noah found favor in the eyes of God"  Genesis 6:8
(E) Explain:  It doesn't take long for us to see in these chapters the negative consequences of sin come into full bloom.  Sin has become rampant, even the norm in this new society of God's creation.  There was corruption, sexual sins and humanity was in the tight grasps of sin and evil.  This broke God's heart.  We are told he actually had regrets about even creating all living things.  However, there was ONE righteous man in the midst of all this evil... His name was Noah.  We are told that Noah found favor in the eyes of God.  This means God showed kindness to Noah because of his faithfulness to God.  Noah was a righteous man (7:1).  He was blameless or the Hebrew word is Tamim which is associated with the idiom "walk before" or "not guilty of idolatrous practices.".  He had a proper relationship with God, unlike the rest of society.  He was obedient (6:22, 7:5).  All in all Noah was a righteous dude.
Unfortunately, the rest of the world was not and this broke God's heart.  He needed to cleanse or purge the known world of this evil, so he told Noah He was sending a flood.  Only Noah and his family survived this flood (because of the grace and  protection of God and Noah's obedience).  Even though we see a catastrophic event in the world (the flood) we can see God's grace in full effect in the life of Noah.    
(A) Application:  Living a holy, upright and righteous life still matters today.  I strive, often very poorly, to live an upright life through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I also need to be reminded that it is not my righteousness that brings salvation to my life.  Salvation is only attained because of Jesus' righteousness.  I may be called or considered a child of God because through Jesus' life, death and resurrection I am made right with God.  This is grace.  I want to live a righteous life before God, so I may bring glory to Him and His Kingdom here on earth.  Because of Jesus' righteousness I may experience God's grace, mercy, and blessings in my life.  
(R) Respond:  Lord, I pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit I may live a life that is pleasing to you.  May I never depend on my righteousness because they are as filthy rags without Jesus in my life.  May I fully depend on your righteousness, cleanse me and purge me of sin in my life, so I may live a blessed life in your presence.