Reading Genesis this morning, I came across one of my favorite passages: “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 covenenat 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.’”
This picture was taken just a couple days before our nation went under “safer at home” orders. It was one of the last practices myself and those I was with had before we weren’t allowed to be on the beach anymore. The rain that morning was a little menacing, and it was a pretty cold practice. It was setting the stage for what was to come—weeks of what may seem like hopelessness and drudgery for some.
But as certain places start the reopening process (and I’m honestly getting really antsy for California to do the same), I’m reminded that God is always, always, ALWAYS true to His word. The covenants and promises that He’s made with us will NEVER be broken, and that makes me smile so big. On that day, this rainbow was a promise from God amidst the beginning of the storm. He was faithful then, He’s been faithful all these weeks of quarantine, He’s faithful now, and He will be faithful forever. WOW. Having this image of hope has filled me with utter joy during this time rather than sorrow, despair, and fear. I pray the same for you.