God’s Rainbow Answer
Dexu Xia
Whenever the rainbow appears . . . I will . . . remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures. Genesis 9:16
Today's Scripture Genesis 9:12-16
Today's Insights The story of the rainbow in Genesis 9 is preceded by the account of humanity’s sin: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (6:5). Their wickedness had reached such a level that God responded with judgment upon the world. For the conditions on earth to trigger such an expansive act of judgment is telling. Still, God’s heart for the people remained. Many scholars estimate it would’ve taken about seventy-five years to build the ark—giving people time to respond to the warning of coming judgment. Following the great flood, God set a rainbow in the clouds—a symbol of biblical hope—as His promise to never destroy the world again by flood. Today, no matter what we face in life, we can be assured of God’s presence and faithfulness
Today's Devotional Owen was on holiday abroad when he received a disturbing message from a colleague: “The boss is looking to replace you.” Deeply upset, he prayed one morning at dawn and asked God, “Where are You?” Then he went to the window to open the curtains—and spotted a huge, beautiful rainbow suspended above the lake outside. Immediately a comforting warmth gushed over him. “It was as if God was simply telling me, ‘It’s okay; I’m here,’ ” he recounted later.
In Genesis 9, God promised not to destroy the earth through a flood again. He promised, “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” (v. 16). This covenant was everlasting and unconditional. It depended totally on God’s protection and provision, not on humanity’s performance. And it was just the first of many promises God would make to His people. Jesus, too, said, “Surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). God doesn’t promise that we won’t suffer. But He does promise His ever-present comfort and personal presence. We may not get “rainbow answers,” but we have His assurance that no matter what happens to us in life, He’s always there for us, and we can draw on His strength, comfort, and presence.
Reflect & Pray
In times of trouble and worry, what can you do to remind yourself of God’s presence? Which promises of His give you comfort?
Loving Father, thank You for Your presence, and please help me to remember Your promise to be with me always.
By Leslie Koh.
上帝以彩虹来回应
“虹必现在云彩中，我看见，就要记念我与地上各样有血肉的活物所立的永约。”（创世记 9章16节）
今日经文：创世记 9章12-16节
今日洞见：创世记在第九章讲述彩虹的故事之前记载了人类的罪恶：“耶和华见人在地上罪恶极大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。”（创世记 6:5）他们的罪恶已经达到了如此程度，以至于上帝以审判回应了世界。地球上的种种状况引发了如此广泛的审判，这本身就说明了一些问题。然而，上帝对世人的爱依然存在。许多学者估计，建造方舟大约需要七十五年，这给了人们时间来回应即将到来的审判的警告。大洪水之后，上帝在云中降下彩虹，在圣经中彩虹象征希望，以此作为祂不再用洪水毁灭全球的记号。今天，无论我们面临什么，我们都可以确信上帝的同在和信实。
今日灵修：欧文在国外度假时，同事发来的一条消息令他不安：“老板想换掉你。”他非常难过，一天清晨，他向上帝祷告，问：“你在哪里？”然后他走到窗边拉开窗帘，看到一道巨大而美丽的彩虹悬挂在窗外的湖面上。一股安慰的暖流瞬间涌上心头。后来欧文回忆道：“这就像上帝在告诉我，‘没关系，我在这里，’”。 在创世记第九章中，上帝应许不再用洪水毁灭全地，说：“虹必现在云彩中，我看见就要记念我与地上各样有血肉的活物所立的永约。”（16节）。这约是永恒且无条件的，完全取决于神的保护和供应，而非人类的行为。这仅仅是神赐给祂子民的众多应许中的一个。耶稣也说过：“我必常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（马太福音28:20）。神并没有应许我们不会受苦，但祂应许永远与我们同在，这应许是我们的安慰。或许我们得不到“彩虹般的回应”，但祂保证，无论人生中遭遇什么，祂都与我们同在，祂的力量、安慰和同在是我们的倚靠。
反思与祷告 在困境和忧虑中，你可以做些什么来提醒自己的上帝同在？上帝的哪些应许给你带来安慰？
慈爱的天父，感谢您的同在，请帮助我记住您永远与我同在的承诺。
作者：莱斯利·科