I first heard of this story when I was still very small. I really liked that part when God sent a rainbow in the sky as His sign of promise to Noah. Back then, I never fully understood the lesson of this story. I realized later on that this is more than just a children's story. It tells so much about God's faithfulness and mercy to those who believe in His words and promises and remain faithful to His ways.

The passage is a bit long but I decided to pick the thoughts that are most important for me.

The Flood

Because of man's sinful ways, God decided to wipe away His creations by flood but exempted Noah and his family of this wrath because He found him to be a just and righteous man. The Lord God commanded Noah to build an ark to save him and his family from the flood. He gave very specific instructions to Noah on how he was supposed to build the ark - the size and all, as well as what he needed to bring with him inside the ark.

For an ordinary person like Noah, to be able to hear God's instructions simply tells us something about his deep and intimate relationship with the Lord. A person who listens to God can do the most unimaginable things to accomplish God's works and can bring His plans into fruition.

Genesis 7:17- 24: God's Silence during the Flood

It is noteworthy in this passage that when the rain begun pouring, the Scriptures did not make any mention on how God dealt with Noah. I am quiet sure that Noah and his family were very frightened and anxious while they were inside the ark. The water outside was continuously rising and the rain had not stopped pouring for forty days and forty nights. They might have been so terrified on what could happen to them amidst the flood.

In our own journey of faith, the same things can happen to us. We find God to be silent at times and this can cause so much anxiety on our part especially if we are in the midst of a very difficult situation. I think the best response is really that of Noah's. He remained steadfast and attentive and peaceful even when God became silent. He believed that the God who called him to make the ark would not abandon him and his family until the floodwaters ran dry.


Genesis 8:1-9:17: God's Faithfulness and The Covenant

When the flood subsided, the Lord made a covenant to Noah that never again would He send flood to destroy humankind. And in order for the Lord to remember that covenant, He sent a rainbow to the sky as a sign of that promise.

The Lord never let the same tragedy happen to us. And although time and again the world disobeys and sins, God remains faithful to that promise.


A Rainbow in the middle of the Storm

I am a person who can really attest that when God promises something, He is faithful enough to keep it. Let me tell you a personal story of how His promise came to pass in my own life.

Back in 2003, when I was trying to get myself a job, I experienced difficulty in trusting the Lord. For almost three (3) months of bumming around, I found myself starting to question God's faithfulness in this particular area. At that time, I had this one job prospect I really liked and which at that time, I was earnestly praying for.

One day, after an interview with another company I went straight to a mall for a little strolling. I passed by a small kiosk selling beautiful wooden wall decors. My attention was caught by this simple display with a passage from Jeremiah 29:11-God says, "For I know the plans I have for you; plans not to harm you but to prosper you. Plans to give you hope and a future". I felt that God was speaking to me through that passage. So, I brought His words with me on my way home and really claimed that that promise would be fulfilled in His perfect time.

That passage gave me peace from then on and sustained me while waiting for that dream job. But in just about a week or so, I got a call from that company and they told me that I needed to start working on my requirements. I got my dream job, brothers and sisters! And to top it all, when my supervisor was introduced to me, I learned that his name is Jeremiah (and then I remembered Jeremiah 29:11!).

I always refuse to believe that that experience was coincidental. I am convinced that it was God's way of reminding me that I can always take His word for it. I can rest my life on Him for He is faithful and loving. God's words in the Scriptures served as my rainbow at that time. His words were more than enough to give me peace and hope in the midst of the storm.

Our own Covenant with the Lord

Brothers and sisters, truly we have a faithful God! As we approach the Feast of the Covenant, we do not only call to mind His faithfulness to us individually but also as a community. I believe that the Lord God wants to say to us the same words He spoke to Noah and his family, "...and behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you." His faithfulness does not only go out to us but even to those who will come after us if we remain faithful and steadfast until the end.


A blessed Feast of the Covenant to us all!

Note: Photo obtained from the web

Reposted from NDE Yahoogroups column "My Take on Scriptures: The God of the Covenant - Reflections from the Story of Noah and the Ark