“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8 NKJ).
The ancient Hebrew language was written by symbolizing only the consonant sounds. Vowel symbols were not developed and added to the writing system until about 700 A.D. Prior to that time, only the consonant sounds of the spoken language were recorded in writing.
In the original Hebrew the word Noah was a combination of sounds rendered Noach (no’-akh), This word would come out nch or N-h in writing depending upon how the word was pronounced orally.
The word grace in Hebrew was made up of two letters pronounced chen ((K)hane). Thus, in the ancient Hebrew parchments this verse would be recorded, “N-h found h-n in the eyes of the Lord.”
We do not often find two words which can be reversed and still read the same (“n-h found h-n”). This is significant. Our English word conversion describes a “turn-around.” Before our conversion to Christ, we were on a downhill path to destruction. Then we met Christ and changed directions. Now we are on an uphill path to eternal glory. This “turn-around” is called conversion.
In conversion, the Lord can change our name, our nature, our outlook and attitude, and our direction. In Noah’s case, N-h became h-n. The grace of God turned things around for Noah. The same grace turns things around for us, too.
The word evil turned around becomes live. The assurance the Lord offers us by asking us to come to Him is that He will redirect our lives from evil to live. Only the Lord can work this transformation fully and thoroughly.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.