The Covenant

Last week I posted that I was planning to read the Bible in 90 days.  I had randomly come across this challenge online and it sounded great to me.  So far, so good!  I realize it's only been three days, but I've gotten myself settled in with my beloved copy of  The Message every day and read the assigned chapters and verses.  It doesn't seem like it should be on the surface, but not missing a day will be the major challenge.  To miss a day is to increase the reading assignment to thirty some chapters the next day.  In order to glean the most I can from this experience I don't think that's a good idea!  I think my mind would start wondering after the first twenty or so chapters!  For today's Spiritual Sunday post I'd like to share some thoughts with you from my first few days of reading.  If you would like to join the challenge it's not too late - you can catch up!  Follow the link above or on my right side bar to read about the origin of the challenge.  If you would like to have a discussion about some the the text we are reading, I plan to write something about my week's reading every Sunday.  I would love to have you join me!

Is there anyone who doesn't get just a little excited when they see a rainbow?  When I see a rainbow I always say a quick prayer of thanks for the promise it represents.  But while reading Genesis 8, I thought about how lightly we take promises.  We live in a world where commitments are infrequently long term.  Guarantees are no longer an assurance of anything.  The promises of marriage are considered with less permanence and commitment than ever before. The rainbow is God's promise, not to Noah, but a covenant between God and the entire human race.  More than that, Genesis 8:21 seems to show more of a reaffirmation in God's own heart of His original purpose for creating the human race.  I've always thought of the rainbow as a reminder to us.  Actually, Genesis 9:13-15 states that it's purpose is for God to be reminded of His purpose each time He sees the beauty of the rainbow.  "I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shalt be seen in the cloud and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh." (Genesis 9:13-15).

God knew then and still now, that the heart of a human being is not pure and yet He loves us anyway.  The Noahic Covenant was a permanent, lasting, universal promise which encompassed "all living creations", human and animal, for "all generations".  God's covenant was unconditional.  It didn't matter then and it doesn't matter now what we do or how much evil is created on earth, God's Word is a permanent, lasting, forever covenant.   Isaiah 54:9-10 reminds us that His love will never be removed from us. "For this is like the days of Noah to Me; when I swore that the waters of Noah should not flood the earth again, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor will I rebuke you. For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My loving kindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you.” 

Here's an incredible thought:  Every single time you admire the magnificence of a rainbow, GOD HIMSELF IS ADMIRING THE VERY SAME RAINBOW AT THE VERY SAME TIME YOU ARE!  And He is thinking about His enduring, forever love for me and for you!  WOW!

What is a rainbow?  It is simply the reflection of the suns rays on particles of moisture.  We see this gift when the sun shines during a rain.  Small in the realm of science, yet so huge in our security of God's vast love for us.  "And the Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself, ‘I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living things as I have done’."  (Genesis 8:21)

It's true that human word is fairly meaningless.  How comforting it is to know that God's word, His covenant, His faithfulness, is our security!