Do Not Fear, Noah cont.

“I have placed my bow in the clouds; it will be the symbol of the covenant between me and the earth.  When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember the covenant between me and you and every living being among all the creatures.  Floodwaters will never again destroy all creatures.” Gen.9:13-15 (CEB)

In this devotion, we fast forward to Noah and his family’s exit from the ark.  He steps out on, for all practical purposes, a new earth.  All the evil was washed away by the flood, I imagine Noah and the family coming out first, taking that first deep breath of sweet air and hearing…well, nothing.  The only surviving animals are still within the ark, yearning to be turned loose.  But for a brief moment, the human survivors take the first look and listen.  Don’t you wonder what they must have thought and felt?  I sure do, and I consider they may have wondered if this would ever happen again. 

We know the end of the story, so we have the advantage over Noah today as we consider this particular do not fear.  In my mind, I can hear Noah’s prayer as he asked if this could happen again the future.  Perhaps Noah needed reassuring, just as you and I do from time to time.  The scriptures tell us that Noah built an altar to the LORD and made sacrifices that were pleasing to the LORD.  He definitely gave thanks for God’s safekeeping, but maybe he also asked God’s grace for future generations.  Maybe he was a little fearful.

What a wonderful promise God has given us in this passage!  A visible, tangible and beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky reminds us of His promise to Noah.  It says to us “do not fear” today just as it did in Noah’s day. 

Will you make this your prayer today?

Heavenly Father,

Rainbows are a reminder that You with us and Your promises will never be broken.  I am thankful that You that cover us in Your care always.

 In the holy name of Jesus,

Amen.