This is a guest post from Michael Ghobrial - a loyal FrAnthony.com follower and fellow blogger from "across the pond (that's London, UK). You can follow Michael on his blog and on Facebook as well. And if you too are interested in guest posting on my blog, please visit my Guest Post guidelines for more info.
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 the 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 9:12-16)
I read this promise and I see grace and mercy. I see kindness and love. I see a Maker so desperate to save His creation. When Noah built an altar and sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord after the flood the Bible says:
"The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done." (Genesis 8:21)
Read that verse again. Close your eyes and see it. Visualize your Maker smelling the pleasing aroma of your prayer… look at the expression on His face as He looks at you full of pride, compassion and love.
Genesis 8:21 is a great comfort to a wretched sinner like me; it shows me how tender-hearted the Lord is; how it pained Him to witness His creation get destroyed as a result of their sin... 'Never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done'... what kindness, what sensitivity He possesses. Though we deserve His wrath and punishment, He graciously gifts us with His Rainbow Promise.
A promise to the human race, animals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles and all living creatures – a loving covenant between the Creator and His creation. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy life. Rejoice with exceedingly great joy O my soul for your Savior loves you. He's head over heels for you. His Love desires your safety and protection. He yearns to see you safe in His arms – letting go of trivial things in this world and abiding in His everlasting arms of grace.
Who is this wonderful Lover of mankind? Who is this compassionate Master? Who is the One who gifts me and all of creation with the most undeserving promise? It is the LORD. The LORD Almighty. My Friend, Redeemer and Savior Jesus.
“I praise You, I worship You, I bow before You for You truly are worthy of all sacrifice and worthy of all my love and affection. Oh how I love You, because ‘with You’ is the only place I want to be.”
Next time you see a rainbow, take a minute to thank God and sing a song of praise. Doesn’t the One who promised your deliverance by His grace not deserve it?