Rainbows are awe-inspiring. From childhood, we admire the majestic bow overhead with delight. Myths regarding rainbows abound, especially the mythical, unattainable pot of gold from the leprechaun.

The scientific aspects are fascinating, too. Have you noticed that rainbows are full circles? The outer arch is a primary arch that is then reversed in a duplicate rainbow. We cannot see the other half of the circle due to our position on earth. But, it’s there.

The Noahic covenant was simple on the surface — God will never again flood the entire world. Even so, God found the remnants of the flood’s destruction devastating and ineffective. Evil still lives in our hearts, in fact it’s in our very nature (Genesis 8:22-23). The solution was not in destroying his creation but in changing our hearts. Therefore, God offered us the rainbow as a sign so we could remember his promise to be merciful.

Even more than the promise not to reboot humanity via a flood, the rainbow is a sign of God choosing mercy and grace. God’s first covenant promise, exhibited in the rainbow, shows his decision to be merciful despite our shortcomings. This covenant promise helps define our relationship with God.

Mercy and grace are the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They aren’t mythical. They are attainable. Every rainbow reminds us that God’s mercy has allowed us to be saved by grace and not as a result of our actions.

Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. I am thankful that you have chosen mercy despite my flaws. Please help me deal with others in my life mercifully and remember that the covenant of the rainbow was made to all humanity. Please help me serve as your messenger of your promises. Amen.

Go Deeper — Almost every day you are given the opportunity to choose mercy. Who in your life needs to be shown God’s grace and mercy through your actions?



Tags: Promises of God Genesis 9
Photo Credit: Johanes Plenio