Recent flash flooding has devastated portions of Eastern Kentucky.
People have been left without homes, mourning tragic deaths, celebrating
heroes, scrambling to meet needs and raising their eyes to scan the sky and river banks with every
new thundercloud breaking into rain. When out driving, it is easy to find
evidence of mud slides and a few sharply curved corners where the road has
crumbled. After another gully washer two evenings ago, I watched impromptu
waterfalls form to race down cliff faces. Those who have been impacted, either
directly or through concern for loved ones, experience apprehension with each
new rain storm.
Just two nights ago, sitting back on a deep porch and relaxing in a
rocking chair, I watched one more storm break across the sky before going to
bed. I admired the beauty of the lightning and watched the reflection of the porch
lights in the light rain. Though for me that summer thunderstorm was quite
enjoyable and relaxing; I could not help but think of those not very far away who
must be looking at this storm with trepidation.
The storm wasn’t the only thing in the sky that day to catch my
attention; a rainbow had appeared as well. With subtle color, it was nearly
lost to view after being disrupted by a cloud. Subtle or no, it reminded me of
the covenant that it shows us. A covenant, a promise or commitment, is shown in
that and every rainbow. This promise was made when the earth was very young and
recovering from a terrible flood. Genesis 9 tells us that the rainbow was
provided as a “sign of the covenant between (God) and the earth.”
We all have storms and floods that occur in our lives. Sometimes we can
sit on the porch, enjoying rain cooled air and the lightning show. There are
other times when we are buffeted about and swept down in the currents of the floods.
But in each, I keep my eyes open to look for the covenant of hope, seen in a
beautiful but quiet display of dispersed light across the sky. I love seeing
God’s promises, quiet and beautiful, made for us to take notice and
comfort.
“And God said, ‘This is the sign
of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature
with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in
the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever
I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I
will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of
every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever
the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the
everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on
the earth.’” Genesis 9:12-16
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