During the story of Noah, God floods the earth (typical Sunday School story). He finds no goodness in the people, only wickedness. EXCEPT in Noah. God looks down from heaven and says HE is a man after my heart. He is good and noble and righteous. I will save him and use him for a greater purpose (ultimately the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, and JESUS).
After he floods the earth, he offers a covenant with Noah. He promises he will never flood the earth ever again. He offers a symbol of his unending love toward his people. Genesis 9:13 says "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." The Hebrew word for "to set" in this literally means "to hang up." The word for "bow" in "rainbow" refers to an archers bow. God is saying he is putting away his weapon, hanging up his bow in the sky to remind the world that he will never flood it again.
I loveee this word picture. I love that a rainbow literally means an act of abstaining from violence. Even when it is storming and the winds are violently raging against the earth, God says, "Don't worry! I won't bring violence and pain, just keep your eyes on my covenant--on my love."
Even when my life seems the most out of control and stormy, when the rain is pouring down. When everything I know and hold on to tightly is being washed away, God reminds me that it is for his good and his glory that he brings the storm. It has a purpose, but not one to harm or destroy. While the storm may seem painful and scary and the end of all I know, God boldly proclaims his love for me: by hanging his bow of a million colors in the sky.
And today, God showed me a double rainbow. Doubly reminding me of his comforting love and his loving discipline. :) Just as I was stressing out about my Greek test and my PoliSci test, God said: "Hey Jess, keep your eyes on me. Keep your eyes on my love. Keep your head up. I have your best in mind. I am leading the way. Stay glued to the cross. Stay clung to me. Only I can get you through this storm. I love you."
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PS: I titled this "Rainbows and Butterflies" because of a recent blog post where I said that Christianity isn't just rainbows and butterflies... but in a way, some days it is. :) God creates the most beautiful rainbows and butterflies for our pleasure.
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