God Promises Protection

Genesis 8:20-21 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.”
 
GOD’S promise here was spoken as Noah and family came out of the ark. The Noahic covenant is an unconditional covenant. God promised, and he made no requirement of mankind to keep his promise. He will do as he says. As “covenant” means “cutting,” the animal sacrifice is a covenant seal. Then, as with each covenant, he gave us a sign of the covenant: Genesis 9:14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
   We cannot imagine the flood that covered the entire earth. For forty days springs broke forth from the deep and the rains deluged the earth. For several months the earth was covered in water. It was a formless void as it was before God began his creation. Out of the storm came a new fresh earth. God then repeated the blessing he gave to Adam and Eve: “Be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” (Genesis 9:7) As in the first creation, the family became the agents of God’s promise and blessing.
   In his grace, God has promised physical safety over all the earth until the New Heaven and Earth. In the many colors of the rainbow, we can remember the many forms of God’s grace: 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. His spiritual gifts guide us to enjoy his promises.  
   The rainbow also reminds us that God has created a bridge between heaven and our hearts. He first did so through the Law, then the prophets. Now Jesus is the bridge from sin’s death into salvation’s sanctuary. The rainbow represents the Light of the World,  who is present to comfort and keep us during the storms and when they pass.
   The rainbow also illustrates God’s throne. We see its description in Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. This is also in Revelation 4:3.
   The next time you see a rainbow, you can consider God is sharing a bit of his holy majesty with you. He reminds you of his benevolent care and grace to welcome you into his throne room through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.