It’s Like We Know

Genesis 9:12-16

And God said, “I am giving you a sign as evidence of my eternal covenant with you and all living creatures, I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the Earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with everything that lives. Never again will there be a flood that will destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.”

Rainbows are beautiful, and no matter what age we are we all seem to appreciate them. Whenever they show up people take notice, “Did you see the rainbow, over there?”, they say. The truth is rainbows are rare, and they only seem to come under certain, and very unique conditions. Usually, like storms.

In this text, Noah, his sons, and all the animals are there, and God is talking to them. That by itself is amazing, God is talking, and they know enough to stop and listen when He speaks. They have just gone through what must have been an incredibly, unexplainable, and amazing experience. From there, something else happens, the promise. The rainbow, God’s covenant, a sign of His permanent promise to each and every one of us, and to all the Earth. God is promising something not just then, but forever.

This is one of many promises God has given us. For instance the way He promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. Why is it so easy for us to forget His promises? It is not that God doesn’t keep each, and every promise He makes, there just seems to be something about us, that believes that He should do it the way we want, instead of the best way, which is often loss on us without His wisdom, and understanding.

I wonder if Noah and his children wished that God would say that He was going to bring back everything they lost in the flood, or if perhaps they may have been in such awe of His glory all they could do is watch. Perhaps after such a jaw dropping experience all, they could do was experience the love, joy, and fulfillment in God very presence among them.

When we see a rainbow, perhaps there is something inherent in us that makes us stop, and reflect on that beautiful moment in a time which, we have only heard of and never lived. A wonderful God, in the midst of people who could NEVER understand the depth of His glory and grace, looking at something beautiful that they would never be able to touch and may never understand, being reminded of a promise so great and a God so awesome all they could do is see it, and be in awe.

Take some time today, and be in awe of God. Remember that promise and the many others in the Bible, a promise made, a promise kept. Look back on your own history and see where those promises come to pass, and thank God!