After the flood God said to Noah…
“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you – the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you – every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
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 a 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 9:9-16.
Everybody reads this and knows about the flood… the covenant… and the rainbow. However, buried within these verses, there is goodness that may just help you through the season of winter.
This covenant is mentioned as “a covenant for all generations to come” … it’s “everlasting” … it’s a promise. The rainbow is simply a reminder to God himself… and a reassurance to man.
beauty abounds even in winter!
We’re heading into the heart of winter here in the northern hemisphere. This can be a gloomy time of year for many… short, cold days… no more football… overweight from the holiday cheer… extra bills to pay… the empty memories of Valentine’s past… the list could go on and on…
Just as we have the rainbow as a reminder of God’s covenant, we can also count on the seasons coming and going. This is His assurance for all generations to come… it’s everlasting.
I like the winter season in the same what that I like a rainy day. Rainy days really don’t bring me down. I look at rainy days as an opportunity… an opportunity to do something different. If I spend a rainy Saturday lounging around in my jammies and reading a book, going to the movies or playing a board game with my family… it’s typically been a really good day!
I believe that God created the winter season for much the same reason… a time of reflection… a time to be still… to think… and a time to learn.
This winter season, instead of looking around and seeing darkness…
be still…
look back and reflect…
look around and be thankful…
look ahead and see the bright beaming sunlight…
because even on the darkest, gloomiest day of winter…
there’s still something good going on…
you can count on it…
just like the rainbow!
Wait a minute—no more football?
Chris this is a really great post. There is so much in those scriptures you quoted. I see something new each time I read them.
Thank you for reminding us (even us in Florida and California where the winter sun is bright and shining)that it’s the perfect time to be still and reflect. Thanks!
yep, football is winding down now…
I have a hard time with the cold gray days, but I do love a good book by the fire. Gotta remember that stillness can be a good thing!
that stillness for me often leads to a “river of thoughts” !!