“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.‘ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.'” Genesis 9:8-16
Though He knew that the intention of man’s heart was evil from his youth and all the time, God in mercy made His covenant of salvation with man His beloved. Never again would His world and people be ruined with such destruction as the widespread flood. The crown of His creation would always be the apple of His eye, held in everlasting love and grace. Following the flood of horror and sorrow, and hope, God welcomed Noah into his everlasting safe harbor of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-28; 6:5-7)
The Eternal God and Potentate of Time speaks and stands behind promises that span everlasting. His words pledged thousands of years ago are ours to savor and find security in today. We can trust His nevers as much as His forevers. Never again will we slip under judgment or condemnation because of His sacrifice paid once for all and forever on the cross. Never will He leave or forsake us because He has bound us to Himself in an eternal covenant. No one can ever snatch us from His hand since we are inextricably, everlastingly His children. (Deuteronomy 31:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 5:20)
We may live in shaky times, but need not quake in fear or fretting, doubt or condemnation. What causes our faith to teeter, our minds to swim and nearly drown in what-if disasters? Where do shame or regret taunt us to forget God’s forgiveness? Will we trust Him to keep His word to protect and redeem? The everlasting God sets His rainbow of divine love over us each day and holds us secure forever.
“Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)
Lord, help me hold fast to Your promises, never to doubt and always to praise Your everlasting word and character.
As the rain and snow 