When one looks around today it seems that wickedness is on every hand. Corruption in high places, murders, rape, terrorism, these are topics that fill our news feeds each day.

Thinking of all these things reminds one of the days of Noah as recorded in the Old Testament. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the Earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).

It must have been difficult to be a follower of God when so much wickedness was in the world, yet Noah was able to meet that challenge, and today Christians should be able to do the same.

Noah is an example of faith, for in that sinful environment three things stand out in his life. First the Bible records, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8).

Grace is unmerited favor. One of the lessons from Noah is that when he learned what God wanted him to do he did it. He followed God before the need arose to build the ark. Some people never think about what God would want before something happens in their life. It is at that point they turn to God.

Noah was not that kind of person. That is why the second thing that stands out in Noah’s life is, "…Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9).

Noah’s life was such that God was pleased with him. In a world full of unrighteousness Noah stood out as one who sought God and was pleasing to him.

The third thing that stands out in Noah’s life is, "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he" (Genesis 6:22).

He followed God’s commands, not trying to inject his ideas or wants, but rather following what God wanted. Then when God gave him the instructions on how to build the ark he followed them without addition or subtraction. Surely Noah had to wonder about building such a craft, but because God said to do it that was enough for Noah. In the history of the world to that point there had never been a deluge. It would be within reason to suggest that the people scoffed at Noah for his work. Yet Noah kept building and preaching (2 Peter 2:5).

It was Noah’s faith in God that led him to be obedient to God’s commands, "By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Hebrews 11:7).

This obedient faith is needed today.