MARCH 14, Genesis 9:13-15

From yesterday’s discussion of raindrops, we move to rainbows today. A rainbow is one of the most spectacular light shows observed on earth. Its happy colours and how they blend together to form that glorious bow remind us of God’s goodness as today’s verses tell us. A rainbow occurs when raindrops and sunshine cross paths. Sunlight consists of all the colours of light, which add together to make white illumination. When sunlight enters water droplets, it reflects off their inside surfaces. While passing through the droplets, the light also separates into its component colours, which is similar to the effect of a glass prism. Each falling water drop actually flashes its colours to the observer for just an instance, before another drop takes its place.

A rainbow is usually seen in the opposite direction in the sky from the sun. If you travel toward the end of a rainbow, it will move ahead of you, maintaining its shape. Thus there is no real end to a rainbow, and no proverbial pot of gold waiting there. Higher in the sky there is usually another, dimmer rainbow with the order of colours reversed. This secondary rainbow results from additional reflection of sunlight through the raindrops. Have you seen this before? Look for the second bow high up in the sky the next time rainbow colours appear. It is not easy but sometimes you may be able to catch it! The rainbow is a gracious pledge that God will not destroy the earth a second time with a worldwide flood as recorded for us in Genesis 9.

Thought: See a rainbow, remember God’s promise.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful reminder of a rainbow, that You will not send a global flood anymore. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.