What do You Think of When You See a Rainbow?

Originally published September 3, 2014 6:12 p.m.

During the last several days, our area has seen numerous thunderstorms and some of them have been strong. The bright side is that they brought some much needed rain, and the even brighter side is that rainbows have been a common sight as a result of the stormy weather.

What do you think of when you see a rainbow? Do you look for the pot of gold at the end? Do you try to count how many distinct colors you can find? You might decide to snap a photo of a rainbow.

Just last night, after I’d seen a couple of rainbows myself, my wife and I were reading Genesis chapter 9 in the Bible when we came across God’s covenant to Noah after The Flood.

Rainbows not only remind me of how intricate our world has been made, but also of this covenant.

“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” ~ God speaking to Noah (Genesis 9:11)

Can you imagine a worldwide flood? It’s devastating enough when flooding occurs in a localized area, whether it’s due to heavy thunderstorm rains, a hurricane or a tsunami.

Genesis 9:13-15 says, “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.”

It’s nice to know, at least for me as a Christian, that not only are rainbows beautiful, but they also remind me of God’s promise.