Genesis 6-9

I have been fascinated by rainbows for as long as I can remember. I do not remember whether they first caught my attention by gazing at the sky following a spring shower or after having heard the wonderful story of Noah and the Ark. I know that I became more aware of them after having listened to the remarkable story in Sunday School.

While Dr. Negley has been a “Nativity” collector, I have been a Noah’s Ark collector. Sitting in my office as I write this devotional, I see two framed prints of Noah’s Ark, a woodland set with Noah and forest animals, a Noah’s Ark candle, a Noah’s Ark snow globe, a Noah’s Ark pewter sculpture, a Noah’s Ark jewelry box, and three Noah’s Ark figurines. In previous devotionals you have read of my Noah’s Ark Christmas tree ornament collection. Yes, the Noah’s Ark story has been cherished since my childhood and so I love rainbows.

Over the years I have seen very vibrant rainbows and somewhere all the colors are pastels. Some have been full arcs and others have been only partial … reaching from the ground heavenward only to disappear in the clouds. I have seen them in the Southeast, in the Northeast, and in the Mid-West. I am sure I would have seen them in the West too, but the most west I have traveled is to Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. I have seen them in Europe and so I am sure they appear in the other continents as well. Next time you see one, pause and marvel at God’s handiwork!

“God painted a rainbow of brilliant red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet across the sky and promised, ‘Never again will water flood the earth. Whenever you see the rainbow in the clouds, I will see it too, and I will remember,’”

Do you remember when people used to tie string around a finger to remind them of some promise? Often the tied string was a visual aid so that the person would not forget. The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise that water will never again flood the earth. It also reminds God of that promise too. A beautiful reminder for us and God of the blessed promise He made.

Prayer

Creator God, we thank You for the story of Noah and the Ark. We thank You for preserving Noah and his family with the animals. We thank You too for the rainbow that remind You of Your promise and us of Your steadfast love. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.