“And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.’”
Genesis 9:12-15
Our God shows such compassion here. He knew the impact the flood would have on Noah and his family. This experience undoubtedly affected them dramatically. The story would be passed down through generations, and its impact would transfer to some extent with each telling.
There was potential for fear to become forever linked to heavy clouds and rain. Each time clouds rolled in and drops began to fall, imagine what terror might have entered in, wondering if God had decided again to flood the earth because of its corruption—and this time you would not be spared.
Foreseeing this, God set a rainbow in the clouds. So each time light reflects off of the prisms of raindrops, peace settles in. God has not forgotten. He is holding true to His covenant. Held within the very thing that could cause great fear is this reminder: The rain will end, the sun will shine, and life will continue.
God has given us His Word as a similar reminder. When the storms of life assail and threaten to overtake us, truth shines through. We look to His promises as to a rainbow and find that it is within the storm that they shine with the most brilliant light of hope. We remember His faithfulness. We remember His covenant, and peace settles in. We rest in the assurance that He has not forgotten us. He knows those who are His, and He will hold fast to us.
“As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.”
Psalm 103:13-14
“The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over many waters…
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.”
Psalm 29:3, 10
“But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.’”
Isaiah 43:1-2
In Pleasant Places 