...only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also...by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:20b-21

One day when my niece was small, we stepped out on our front porch right after a refreshing summer rain...right at the perfect time to see a beautiful rainbow in the sky - a blessed "teachable moment." God's word of hope has come to us from the time of His very first rainbow.

If we take time to read Genesis chapters 6-9, we can find a deeply grieved God to see what people had done to creation with their wickedness. As we read on, we learn that only Noah still walked with God. Thus, Noah was entrusted with the job of building an ark, "a large ship" for surviving the flood - a cleansing for creation. In obedience to God, he built the ark and filled it with pairs of every animal, and the eight members of his family. God sealed the vessel and started the rain.

Over a year later, God finally brought them out on dry land. Noah's first act was to worship God. God's response was a promise - sealed with a rainbow - to never destroy His creation again "as long as the earth endures."

The story of Noah foretold God's coming plan of salvation, sealed not with a rainbow but with His Son Jesus. We're cleansed through His death and resurrection when we fully trust in Him...and only Him.

Insight: Every time we see a rainbow, we should remember God's great mercy, His unfailing love for us and the fact that we too must stand against sin. God sealed His promise and gave His only Son, Jesus Christ as payment for our sins. Should we not walk closely with Him who saved us from our sins...as the ark saved Noah and His family from a wicked sin-filled world? Are these days any different than the days of old?

Dear Lord Jesus, Help me to walk closely with You just as Noah did...by faith. Save me as You saved Noah and his family. In Your Name I pray, Amen.