SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
READ: Genesis 9 (Focus vs. 11-17)
MEMORY VERSE
“I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.” Genesis 9:15
BACKGROUND
On September 11, 2023—the twenty-second anniversary of the attacks against the United States—a stunning double rainbow graced the skies above New York City. Home to the former Twin Towers, this city suffered the greatest losses in the attacks.
More than two decades later, the double rainbow brought a sense of hope and healing to those who were there to see it. A video clip of the moment seemed to capture the rainbows emanating from the site of the World Trade Center itself.
Rainbows in the sky have brought an assurance of God’s faithfulness since the days of Noah.
In the wake of God’s judgment of sin which resulted in unimaginable destruction, He set the colorful beacon as a visual reminder of “the everlasting covenant between [Himself] and all living creatures” (Genesis 9:16).
After forty dark days of rain and months of flooding (7:17-24), one can only imagine how welcome the rainbow—“the sign of the covenant”—must have been to Noah and his family (9:12-13). It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness that “never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth” (v. 11).
When we face dark days and tragic losses—whether due to natural disaster, physical or emotional pain, or the plight of disease—let’s look to God for hope in the midst of it.
Even if we don’t catch a glimpse of His rainbow in those moments, we can be assured of His faithfulness to His promises.
By: Kirsten Holmberg
INSIGHT
In the Noahic covenant, God made an unconditional, eternal covenant—or promise—with all mankind and all living creatures to never again destroy the earth and all life by a flood (Genesis 9:9-11).
To seal this covenant, God “set [his] rainbow in the clouds” (v. 13) as a visible symbol of His promise. The Hebrew word for rainbow, qesheth, is also translated “bow”—a weapon.
One commentator notes: “In what is a radical reinterpretation of divine power, the bow ceases to function as a sign of God’s militancy and begins to function as a sign of God’s grace. A rainbow is a bow without an arrow.”
While the rainbow gives us great encouragement today, assuring us of God’s mercy and grace, God actually set the rainbow as a reminder to Himself of His “everlasting covenant” with “all living creatures of every kind on the earth” (v. 16).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
How has God revealed His presence to you during difficult seasons of life? Who might need to hear your story today?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“When we face dark days and tragic losses—whether due to natural disaster, physical or emotional pain, or the plight of disease—let’s look to God for hope in the midst of it.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Even when we can’t visibly see God’s HAND in our affairs, we should learn to trust His HEART.” – adapted
PRAYER
“Father God, please help me to see You in the midst of my struggles today.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS…”
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand…
His oath, his covenant, his blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand…
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found:
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ACTS 22
