On Monday we began a new series of devotionals using the Scripture Index of Glory to God Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Songs as a guide. The Scriptural Index is found on pages 979-988.

Beginning with Genesis 1, there are six musical selections with allusions to that first chapter of the Bible. For Genesis 1:1, there are eight selections with allusions to that first chapter and first verse.

This series of devotionals will take us up to Advent and the “Sweeter Than Honey,” the Advent/Christmas /Epiphany Cookbook Devotional. Then, we will resume the series on January 7, 2020, the day after Epiphany.

The plan is to examine many, but not all of the scriptures listed. Where there has been only one scripture verse from a book, like Ezra 3:11 and Esther 4:14, then we will certainly deal with those verses. We will point out the scriptural allusion. For the purpose of this devotional, you will be best served to have your Bible handy and the hymn for the day from Glory to God hymnal will be printed, since everyone may not have a copy of the hymnal at home or wherever you are when doing your daily devotional.

READ: Genesis 9:13-17

READ or SING: Hymn 250 In the Bulb There Is a Flower

Do you ever remember where you were when you heard a piece of music for the first time? I heard this hymn for the first time when I was serving the Pearisburg Presbyterian Church, in Pearisburg, Virginia. A pastor within our presbytery was killed in an automobile accident and this hymn was played and sung as part of his funeral service. For most of our Bright Sunday celebrations this hymn has been included in our Order of Worship. It is a simple, but beautiful composition by the late Natalie Sleeth. It was an anthem first and then it became a hymn.

The scripture lesson is the latter part of the Noah story. God promises Noah that never again will the world be flooded. As a sign of this covenant, God has set a bow in the clouds as a reminder. Though rainbow is not mentioned in the hymn what we do find in the lyrics are these words relating to the sun coming out and again after the flood and the hope we have through God’s promise. Ms. Sleeth wrote: “there’s a dawn in every darkness, bring hope to you and me.” God will bring good things out of the bad and so our tasks are to trust Him and wait until God reveals the mystery in His time.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for bringing good things out of bad. Help us to trust knowing that You are faithful to Your promises in Your time, not ours! Keep us looking for the bulbs to put up shoots, for butterflies to emerge from their chrysalises and for rainbows appearing in the sky after the rain. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.