Thursday Reflection September 10, 2020
Thursday Reflection September 10, 2020
The sign of God’s Covenant
God said, “I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13
Good day friends!
I pray that you are keeping safe during this time of the Pandemic in Jamaica. Remember to do the essentials as we protect ourselves as best as possible.
Have you ever looked in the sky and seen a rainbow? It’s quite beautiful isn’t it? This rainbow was established hundreds of thousands of years ago. It was established during the time of Noah in Genesis chapter 9. God destroyed the world during the days of Noah, because of the sins of the world. God did this through a flood. Only Noah, his immediate family and two of every kind of animal were saved on the ark. The floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days before it gradually began to recede. Noah lived in the ark for approximately one year before the earth was dry. Upon God’s command he left the ark. Noah built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord. It is during this period that God makes a covenant with Noah.
Chapter 9 confirms the covenant made by God. The Lord gave Noah instructions how to live. It is at this time the Lord confirmed his covenant with Noah and the earth. God promised not to destroy all earth with floodwaters again. He then gave a sign in the form of a rainbow as a reminder of his covenant. Friends, there are a few points I want to highlight from this text and I encourage you to read the text especially from verse 8-13. The first point is:
- God initiates Covenant (vs. 9)
Hear the Lord in verse 9 of this text, “And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you and with your seed after you.” Noah didn’t initiate the Covenant, it is the Lord who looked down and created this covenant. God did this, because of his love for us. It might seem ironic that I would say that after He just destroyed the earth with flood, but we must remember God did so because of the sins of the people. Even though He did this God still love his creation, which is why He made the Covenant, so that He would not wipe out creation again with flood because of our sins.
- God’s covenant is for the earth (vs13)
Even though the Lord was speaking to the lone surviving family, God was also making a covenant with the entire earth. It’s interesting how God’s covenant with one person spur over to incorporate others. God’s covenant with Abraham of a chosen nation spur over to the entire world. God’s covenant with David to establish his throne forever has impacted us for now we are royalty, because of Jesus. So God’s covenant is not only for us, but for the benefit of others as well.
- God gives a reminder of his covenant (vs 13)
The covenant is a reminder that God will not destroy the world again with floodwaters. The rainbow in the sky that is seen primarily after it rains is a reminder that God is keeping his covenant. It makes me wonder what other signs God is giving to remind us of his various covenants, promises, agreements that He made with us. The Lord promise never to leave us nor forsake us. What are the signs that God is keeping this covenant? Oh yea, God led us to a scripture of encouragement when we were down… Oh and He came through for us when we had absolutely nothing… Let’s not forget He protected us from the snare of the devil… When everything was going wrong He gave us peace. Friends, the point I am making is that there are many signs and evidences around us that God is keeping His covenant with us. Let us open our eyes to them.
Until next week look for the signs of God’s covenant
Shalom
Christopher Euphfa