By His Grace: A reminder in the sky

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

While conversing with the Lord when driving to work, I approached a traffic light. As I patiently waited for the light to turn green, something caught my attention through the morning overcast skies. Peaking just below a cluster of clouds was a glimpse of a beautiful rainbow.

Immediately I began praying. Why?

First you must know what the true meaning of a rainbow is.

In the time of Noah, the inhabitants of the Earth's hearts were increasingly wicked and set upon evil. God was angered by their deeds. Each person in life is given a choice between good and evil. A judgment was made: “The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created — and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground — for I regret that I have made them.'”

Noah, who was a righteous man and walked with God, was warned of a great flood to come because he was blameless. What does it mean to be found blameless? It does not mean to be perfect or never to have made a mistake in life. What it means is to be innocent of guilt. How is this achieved when we are made of flesh with a sinful nature?

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do being weakened by the flesh, God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh.”

Noah was instructed to build an ark to God’s specification. He was not to deviate from the blueprint and was to work diligently to complete the task. In his obedience, out of his reverence and profound love of God and his command, Noah and his family received divine protection in the ark. There is safety in the Lord when we choose to walk with him.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

The mighty flood came upon the earth, destroying everything within its path, and remained for 150 days. Once the water had fully receded and the earth reappeared, Noah, his family and two of every living creature re-emerged from the ark to repopulate the Earth.

Noah honored God by building an altar and offering a sacrifice. He understood the meaning of praise and thanksgiving for all God had done.

“And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, 'I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.'”

And God made an everlasting covenant between himself and man for generations to come.

“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the Earth.”

Here is why I began praying. Many misunderstand the significance of the rainbow and the covenant. In today’s society, the wicked deeds of man have rapidly intensified. Look around you or in the media. The heart of man has turned away from God and toward the lust of the flesh.

In the past several storm seasons, Louisiana has been blessed time and time again as each storm is downgraded from its potential and dangerous impact. In our seasons of life, especially in the time in which we live, you and I have been spared as well from the designs of the enemy to kill, steal and destroy. It appears we are safe for now. Now more than ever is not the time to become complacent in our prayer walk and faithfulness towards God. He will not be mocked

Cease not in your praise unto God. Continue praying over the land and for one another. And do not forget who saves you and I for in the moment you forget will surely open the door for the next storm to remind you who is LORD!

Remember you and I serve an awesome God whose love never fails.

You may ask how one begins to receive this love if you have never had a sincere relationship with God.

By your own free will, you accept Christ as lord and savior. Do not allow this moment to pass; tomorrow is not promised.

When you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Please repeat this prayer: "Lord, Jesus, forgive my sins I committed against you. I believe Jesus died for my sins and has risen again. Please come into my life and heart and lead the way. I confess you as my lord and savior from this day forward. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Welcome into the family of Christ.

Until next week, be blessed and continue to bless others along the way. Shalom.

Bible references: Genesis 9:13 NIV: Genesis 6:6-7 NIV; Romans 8:1-3 AMP; Psalm 4:8; Genesis 8:20-21; Genesis 9:11. To obtain the full benefits of each verse, please read the five verses before and after each verse.

Writer Edith Nevis can be reached at 985-857-2200 or at edith.nevis@houmatoday.com