Let’s read Genesis 9:8-11, “Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, ‘Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth” (NASB).

This passage brings out God’s marvelous grace to Noah and the entire human race. Though sin had caused God to judge mankind with a universal flood that destroyed the earth and every living being, God’s mercy caused Him to establish a covenant with Noah in which He promised to never again flood the earth with water.

In verses 12-15 God’s gives Noah a SIGN of the covenant: “God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My BOW in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that THE BOW will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.” As I was growing up, I loved seeing a beautiful rainbow after a thunderstorm, but I had no idea that it was a sign from God that He would never flood the earth again. After I was saved I learned its true meaning and now when I see a rainbow I not only marvel at its beauty, but I praise God for His promise of mercy to all mankind.

Before we bring our meditation to an end, I would like to read 2nd Peter 3:3-7: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, THROUGH WHICH THE WORLD AT THAT TIME WAS DESTROYED, BEING FLOODED WITH WATER. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being RESERVED FOR FIRE, KEPT FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT AND DESTRUCTION OF UNGODLY MEN.” Though God will never destroy the earth with water ever again, He will destroy the earth with fire! Just as water swept away the ungodly in Noah’s day, fire will purge the earth in a coming day. Men mock at this coming judgment and deny God’s judging mankind with a universal flood, but God’s Word is true and men would do well to believe it and to flee from the wrath to come. Noah found refuge in the ARK OF SAFETY and escaped God judgment; Jesus died on the cross to provide a place of refuge for you. Jesus said in John 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and DOES NOT COME INTO JUDGMENT, but has passed out of death into life.” The moment you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have eternal life and will never come into judgment. God places you in Christ, the believing sinner’s ARK OF SAFETY! Romans 8:1 declares, “Therefore there is now NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.” If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, I would plead with you to trust Him now! (242.5) (DO)