January 8--Evening
January 8—Evening "He will ever be mindful of His covenant."
Genesis 9:8-17 In this portion we have fuller particulars of the gracious covenant made with Noah and his seed.
Genesis 9:8-11 To those who have been saved in Christ no future destruction is possible. They are for ever secure from the floods of wrath.
Genesis 9:14 The covenant sign is seen in cloudy times when faith most requires a seal of the Lord's faithfulness. No cloud, no bow. It is worth while to have a cloud to have a rainbow painted upon it.
Genesis 9:16 This is better than man's looking upon it, for He will never gaze with forgetful eye. The word everlasting has heavenly music in it. A temporary covenant is of small value, but an everlasting covenant is a wellspring of delight.
Genesis 9:17 The rainbow is thus made the lovely symbol of God's truth. A bow unstrung, for war is over; a bow without a string never to be used against us; a bow turned upward, that we may direct our thoughts and prayers thither; a bow of bright colours, for joy and peace are signified by it. Blessed arch of beauty, be thou to us ever the Lord's preacher.
We will now turn to a passage in the prophets where the covenant of divine grace is linked with this bow.
Let us henceforth be ashamed to doubt the Lord. These steadfast signs should create in us unstaggering confidence in the faithfulness of our immutable God. Only let us make sure that we are exercising true faith in Him.
The warm affections of his breast Towards his chosen burn; And in his love he'll ever rest, Nor from his oath return.
Still to confirm his oath of old, See in the heavens his bow; No fierce rebukes, but joys untold Await his children now.