Genesis 9:8-17

⁸ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ⁹ “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, ¹⁰ and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. ¹¹ I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” ¹² God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: ¹³ I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. ¹⁶ When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ¹⁷ God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

One of the most popular Old Testament stories sparks a very recognizable symbol of our faith, The Ark and the Rainbow. The story of the flood (and Noah’s ark) spills over into chapters 6, 7, and 8 in the book of Genesis. And the story has a happy ending with the rainbow. The flood was over. Life for the creature and the Creator was about to move forward, and lest either one forget their renewed relationship, God put a rainbow in the sky.

I have often viewed the rainbow as a reminder for us on the ground that the Lord loves us so much that God would never again send a flood to destroy all flesh. I know that I really do need regular reminders of God’s love. But the rainbow had a second purpose, to remind God of the same thing.

¹⁴ When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh”

I’m glad so many people recognize this sign of God’s loving promises.

Prayer

Ever-loving God, I look forward to the days that will soon come with their clouds, rain, and rainbows. Thanks in advance for the notes You will be posting in the sky to remind us all of your love. Amen.