Genesis 9:12-13
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.”
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It is not at all uncommon that the Lord not only gives us His life-giving words, but that He also gives us a tangible sign of His promise! The Hebrew word for promise is often 'dâbar' which is also translated as 'word' — every word of God is an unfailing promise! It is also not uncommon that Satan, who would try to make himself like God, would try to counterfeit his own version. The rainbow that the Lord placed in the sky does not invite or celebrate homosexuality! “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” {Rom.1:18}

When the miraculous protection of His people as the angel of death swept through ancient Egypt taking the life of all the firstborn for its refusal to let the Hebrews go {Ex.11:5} the sign was the blood of an unblemished lamb placed on the doorposts of their houses which were then passed over. {Ex.12:13}

Later, He would speak through the prophet Isaiah saying the the Lord Himself would give His people a sign, "Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." {Is.7:14} It was the sign of the promise of another unblemished Lamb who would be sent to save and protect from eternal death all who would believe in Him and act upon His promise!

And then, God provided another of His signs to confirm His Word: “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." {Lk.2:12} Bringing us back to the unblemished Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.{Jn.1:29} It would be that infant grown into a man—the only righteous man—who would offer Himself a living and holy sacrifice and conquer sin and death! {Col.2:13-14} God has told us that He loves us {Jn.3:16}, but once again, He has given us a sign to confirm that word—the sign was and is the cross of Calvary!

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” {1Cor.2:1-2}

A brief aside: A number of years ago we were aboard a cruise ship in the southern Caribbean where I was doing bible studies with a group and filming other studies for posting. During one session while I was teaching in a very lovely room overlooking the entire bay and harbor a young lady, a crew member came in and seeing us, apologized for the interruption saying that she was just looking for a sign to post in the hallway. She excused herself and left. Almost immediately, everybody looked out the large picture windows at the double rainbow that had just appeared. They were both bright and beautiful. I took a picture and later went and found that lady to tell her that I had the sign for her. She too had her breath taken by the majesty of God's handiwork!

Let me end today returning again to this day’s daily message for the day. The rainbow was given as a sign of His covenant that is between the Lord, you and I and every living creature of all flesh that never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.” {Gen.9:14-15} No, it will not be the water, it will be the fire next time.

“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.” (2 Peter 3:7)

JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE