Scanning the Skies for a Covenant

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

Snow fence

Much of the country just had another bout with snow.  Driving back from a nearby town, I was struck at the way the hedges in the fence rows were banked with snow.  On the other side of the fence, the field is protected from snow and only a small amount comes through. 

I thought of how many times I have asked for a hedge to be placed around me or someone else.  The request of protection from the feet and feet of snow, or rather the feet and feet of difficulties or hardships that come in to sweep us away. 

Job is a great example of someone who kept getting hit on all sides.  His losses just kept piling up, much like the snow drifted against that fence.  Pretty soon Job was overwhelmed, stuck in the drift.  But – the important thing to remember with Job’s story is to read all the way to the end.  Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

Had a rough day, a rough week?  Wondering if God’s plan could possibly be accomplished?  Have hope!  Here is a promise, plainly spoken – God’s plans cannot be thwarted.  Not may not or possibly might not, but cannot!

Not Wasting the Loss

God certainly has a great sense of drama – just the perfect way to get our attention.  The first person we get to know in Luke’s story has seen an angel, received a life changing message from God, and now – no talking until later.  No talking! 

There is one thing that I’m going to ask you to keep in mind through this – when God presents you with what seems like a loss, are you going to waste it? 

The people that had been outside praying and worshiping were now starting to wonder about Zechariah.  Where could he be, what could he be doing?  The room Zechariah was in wasn’t exactly a living room with comfy furniture to lounge about on.  Instead the Kodesh Kodashi, the Holy of Holies, was the place that held some precious reminders of God; like the Ark of the Covenant, the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff, a canister of oil, and a jar of Manna.  Each thing was a “stone of Ebenezer” (1 Samuel 7:12), a memorial to serve as a reminder of God’s help.  Clouded with incense, to keep a reminder of the need to protect themselves from God, this was an indirect way to approach God.  This time was measured and known of by the entire people, it was realizing the power and sovereignty and holiness of God.  So, people started to worry about Zechariah.  What was he doing in there? 

Then here comes Zechariah, with amazing news and no way to tell it.  Can’t you imagine, Zechariah’s heart about to burst, excitement, amazement, fear, awe – and his mouth opening and closing with no sound coming out.  The people did people understand that something had happened.  But what?  There would have been discussion, speculation, hoping, praying, worrying of the people gathered there.  What happened, what was God trying to tell Zechariah, what was Zechariah trying to tell them?  On that holy day and during that holy time in that holy place did this message only apply to Zechariah, or was this something that was about to impact the nation? 

Remember that I asked you before to keep loss in your mind, and then to go a step further – to understand not wasting this loss.  Zechariah had big news to share.  He had seen and experienced something amazing!  He had a message from God!  Not only was he going to be a Dad, but this new life would grow to a son who was a joy, a delight, great in God’s sight, and will be a missionary for God amongst God’s own people.  I don’t know about you, but I think that I would have wanted to be able to talk, to shout, to sing, to ask, to seek, to share.  But, not a sound would come out.  This was a loss in Zechariah’s life.  It was now Zechariah’s choice of how to gain from God’s gift.  Silence as a gift?  That does seem like an odd concept.  Discipline of a loving parent, when well done really is a gift, a gift of teaching, teaching self-discipline, teaching consequences, and teaching boundaries.  Silence for an extended period of time might have actually been a great learning time for Zechariah.  Imagine not speaking for one week.  At first, it would be strange, and most certainly it would be frustrating at times.  But, how much closer would you listen and pay attention to others?  How much closer would your conversations be with God?   Keep it in the back of your mind; I’m coming back to this later – not wasting loss.

Zechariah leaves the temple, goes home.  Guess what – Elizabeth is going to have a baby!  Elizabeth is ecstatic, and says, “The Lord has done this for me," she said, "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people," (Luke 1:25).  Disgrace?  Yes!  Elizabeth had a loss of her own.  She wasn’t a mom and for that reason, would not have fulfilled one of her primary duties in that culture.  Imagine how empty Elizabeth’s arms must have felt when others were holding their toddlers, aching heart as other mothers celebrated the achievements of their children, feelings of failure.  Yet, we also know that Elizabeth was upright in the sight of God, an authentic follower of God.  The time before this baby was a loss in Elizabeth’s life, yet here she is.  Notice that she’s not saying, “it’s about time God, where have you been?”  Instead, she is rejoicing and is benefiting from years of solid knowledge and practice of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.  God has prepared Elizabeth and Zechariah to raise this new baby, they have gained from their loss – not wasted it. 

We all have losses in our life.  Is there one that really is a gift from a loving and holy Father?  Are you going to waste your losses or grow in them?