Genesis 9:11-13 – "Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." And God said: "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." (NKJV)

The multi-coloured refraction of sun through water droplets is called a rainbow. People with the heart of a child want to find and touch the end of the rainbow, and if they are lucky, to find the pot of gold at its end. If they chase after it, though, it seems to disappear. The colourful sky bows are the talk of science experiments at school and the topic of cultural stories. We can't touch, taste, feel or hear them, but they are an eye feast, breathtaking to look at. To observers, anywhere in the world, watching a rainbow suspends time for a few seconds to draw out the awe and wonder of this phenomenon in the sky. But the significance of the rainbow runs much deeper than its appearance.

Through God's covenant with Noah, the rainbow signified God's intention never again to destroy the earth and inhabitants by flood. Every time a rainbow appears in the sky, it is a reminder of God's hope and promise. When conditions are just right, one can even see a rainbow through a tear. It may be a tear of gladness or sadness, or just from moisture inside the eye. No matter how big or small, a rainbow reflects God's magnificence and glory. The rainbow points us to God and His trustworthiness.

We can be sure that when we see a rainbow, we can have hope, because God is the Promiser. Whenever I see a rainbow, I remember God's covenant with Noah, and it evokes within me the thought that there is hope in every situation, because God is faithful. At the intersection of a problem and a solution is a rainbow of hope. The rainbow not only represents the radiance of Christ in our hearts, but there is also a rainbow surrounding the throne of God, suggesting that the treasure at rainbow's end can be knowing that our entrance to heaven was paid in full at Calvary. In what ways does our God of Promise inspire you?

Don't let your tears be the product of gloomy anticipation, but see the rainbow, Jesus Christ, filled with hope and the promise of the gospel that turns every sorrow and sadness into some modicum of joy.

Prayer: Dear Father, we thank You that even our tears can create the smallest prism, a combination of Christ's light with moisture, to remind us of Your commitment to the earth and its inhabitants, as well as a projection of Christ's glory. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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