Devotions - Monday, April 28

In Genesis 9:8-17 we read of God's covenant with us, after the flood. God promises to never again allow the flood waters to destroy the earth. As a sign of this covenant, God places the rainbow in the sky. God says, "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."

God sets up a "reminder" of what he has promised. God establishes a marker which will remind him of what he has said he will do.

As a child, I remember hearing this story. As a result, when I saw a rainbow, it comforted me. It was an indication to me that I was safe from the kind of destruction described in Genesis 7 & 8. I looked upon the rainbow as a thing set there to comfort me. But that isn't what the text says. It says that the rainbow is a reminder for God.

I think we could learn something from God.

We make promises. We make many promises. Some promises are short lived; others are to last for the rest of our lives. Sometimes, we forget our promises. Sometimes we fail to remember, at the critical point in time, what we have said we will do. Might we consider establishing a marker, a reminder, of our promise?

This might take any number of forms. It might be a ribbon we tie on the radio antenna of our car. It might be a ring or pen attached to our clothing. In other instances it might be a note card, kept were we will see it -or- given to the person we have promised.

Promises are very important. Particularly promises made to those most intimately connected to our lives. Remembering the promises we have made may serve as a guide when we find ourselves engaged in difficult encounters. The marker/reminder we establish could help us to remember our guiding intentions, even when the immediate situation at hand might cause us to ignore the promises we have made.

Outside my window, it is raining pretty hard right now. It may be cloudy all day and no rainbow will appear. I will be looking for one, however, and be reminded of the promises I have made. I will use God's method in order to find ways to remind myself of the promises I have made.