Originally posted: 01/09/2019
His Rainbow… His Covenant, His Grace, His Faithfulness
His Rainbow…a most stunning sign for mankind. The rainbow reminds us that our God is “beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words,” (from Hillsong’s “I Stand In Awe of You”).
His Covenant…established by Himself alone. What part did man have? None. We cannot stop the rain nor put the bow in the clouds. He alone is bound by this covenant, for He Himself established it.
His Grace…not precipitated by a request from Noah, but a good and perfect gift to be received by His grace (James 1:17).
His Faithfulness…Read verses 8 through 17 again, and notice how many times God repeated this was what He alone was doing (Twelve times God says “I” or “My”). When God repeats Himself pay attention! He was reminding us it is by His faithfulness alone and what He promises He will do!
Today, as we consider His Rainbow, let us remember…
His Rainbow causes us to look to the heavens and away from earth, to intentionally set our focus on the beautiful things above, and to stand in awe of Him! “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth,” (Colossians 3:1-2).
His Covenant came after the horror of the flood. Human eyes had never before seen His beautiful rainbow, for a rainbow appears and is “caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun’s rays in drops of rain.” Since it had never before rained (Genesis 2:5-6), there had been no necessity for the rainbow. We are reminded of His most beautiful and perfect Messianic Covenant after the torrent of man’s rebellion against God ushered in the flood of sin and the curse against humanity. God established His Covenant out of necessity…ours, for it is utterly impossible that we redeem ourselves. The Covenant of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone pays the penalty of our sin.
His Grace provided a sign that we be reminded it is not dependent upon us to be covenant keeping; it is a gift of His Grace.
His Faithfulness is beyond our ability to comprehend. Much like the beauty of the rainbow, our limited human vision often misses His beautiful faithfulness until the passing of the storm. But remember, He is faithful in the storms!
As we remember His Rainbow, how can we respond?
I came across a thought-provoking word while considering His Rainbow:
Offing: “the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore.”
Through His rainbow, God is giving us an “offing”, a glimpse of the more distant part of His eternal faithfulness seen from the finite shore of our earthly lives.
- Thank Him for the Rainbows, the promised beauty He brings even in the overwhelming floods. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you…” (Isaiah 43:2). - Live confidently in the assurance of His Covenant promises. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;” (Hebrews 10:23).
- Trust in His Grace every day. His Grace provides for all our daily needs. “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him,” (Matthew 6:8).
- Praise Him because He is Faithful. Praise Him in the midst of storms and suffering; His Rainbow is surely there. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us,” (Romans 8:18).
I love rainbows and since we moved I can now see them from my house. Before there were too many trees. I have seen so many in the past 2 years. They are a blessing and a reminder from God for sure.