Colors of Hope 彩虹之约
Dexu Xia
I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Genesis 9:15
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
How has God revealed His presence to you during difficult seasons of life? Who might need to hear your story today?
Father God, please help me to see You in the midst of my struggles today.
我便记念我与你们和各样有血肉的活物所立的约。—创世记9章15节
在2023年9月11日，正值美国911恐怖攻击事件的22周年纪念日，纽约市上空出现了一道光彩夺目的双彩虹。这座城市是先前遭到袭击的世贸双塔所在地，在事件中蒙受最大的损失，伤亡惨重。二十多年后，这道双彩虹对在场所有看到的人来说，象征希望和安慰。有一段拍摄双彩虹的短片显示，那道彩虹仿佛就像出自于世贸中心遗址。
自从挪亚时代以来，天上的彩虹便成为上帝信实的确据。那时，上帝因为人类犯罪而用洪水毁灭世界之后，设立了绚丽的彩虹作为记号，记念祂“与地上各样有血肉的活物所立的永约”（创世记9章16节）。挪亚和他的家人在方舟上，经过四十天乌云密布的倾盆大雨，以及好几个月的洪水泛滥（7章17-24节），可想而知，他们肯定非常高兴看见彩虹这“立约的记号”（9章12-13节）。上帝藉着彩虹提醒我们祂的信实，祂说：“凡有生命的必不再被洪水除灭，再没有洪水来毁灭大地了。”（11节，新译本）
当我们面临黑暗的日子或遭遇不幸，不管是因为自然灾害、身体状况不佳、心理创伤还是病痛折磨，让我们在这些景况中仰望上帝，寻求盼望。即使在那时候我们看不见象征上帝信实的彩虹，却仍然可以相信祂会持守祂的应许。作者： 洪可婷
在身处人生低谷时，上帝曾如何向你显明祂的同在？
今天有谁可能需要听听你的经历？
天父上帝，请帮助我今天就能在困境中看见祢