FEB 9
Genesis 9:8-17
Memorise Genesis 9:16
“I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant”

A rainbow is indeed a very beautiful sight to behold. It is an amazing phenomenon of light, whereby the entire visible spectrum of light is spread out in a large multi-coloured arc across the sky. Today whenever we see a rainbow in the sky, camera phones all around us are whipped out, as everyone recognises its beauty, and would want to capture a memory of it.

Yet we know that the rainbow is far more than just a nice memory or a good photographic opportunity. In fact, it is a very important symbol of a promise that God has made with man. It was the sign of a covenant that God made with Noah right after the flood. Through the sign of the rainbow, God promised that there shall be no more flood of such magnitude to destroy the earth ever again. This global flood was a once and for all event, never to be repeated again. Yes there may still be local floods; even huge floods which may claim thousands of lives and do reach sizable depths. Yet it will never be of such massive proportions that it would cover the entire globe and destroy all flesh. It was a covenant made not just with Noah, but also with all flesh upon the earth, and would last forever. Thus by extension, we who are living right now upon the earth continue to be the beneficiaries of this wonderful promise that God has made to all mankind.

Now, every time we see a beautiful rainbow painted across the sky, remember the promise of God. This is God’s way of reminding us of the fact that He is very much involved in the affairs of His creation, and that He cares for us. It is a message of God’s mercy and grace, both in His judgment and His withholding of judgment. It was by God’s grace and goodness that He chose to judge the earth by a flood the first time, in order that He might wipe away all the filth and wicked corruption of sin. Yet it is also by God’s mercy and lovingkindness that He has now promised that He will never judge the world again through such a flood. The time that we have on earth right now is an opportunity for man to repent, that he may escape the judgment that is to come.

Thought: God used a beautiful symbol to illustrate an even more beautiful promise.

Prayer: Lord, may I learn to appreciate Your wonderful grace and mercy in my life.