Faith Sets the Bow
Faith in God's covenant promise gives us courage and trust in the face of trouble and affliction.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that while we may face clouds of trouble in our lives, we should not fear destruction, as God's covenant with Noah assures us of His faithfulness. He illustrates that faith allows us to see the rainbow of God's promises amidst our afflictions, reminding us that God's bow is a symbol of peace and joy rather than destruction. Spurgeon encourages believers to dismiss fears that dishonor God, affirming that His covenant remains steadfast and unchanging. The sermon reassures us that even in dark times, God's promises are a source of hope and courage.
Text
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the beau shall be seen in the cloud. (Genesis 9:14)
Just now clouds are plentiful enough, but we are not afraid that the world will be destroyed by a deluge. We see the rainbow often enough to pre- vent our having any such fears. The covenant which the Lord made with Noah stands fast, and we have no doubts about it. Why, then, should we think that the clouds of' trouble, which now darken our sky, will end in our destruction? Let us dismiss such groundless and dishonoring fears.
Faith always sees the bow of covenant promise whenever sense sees the cloud of affliction. God has a bow with which He might shoot out His arrows of destruction. But see, it is turned upward!
It is a bow without an arrow or a string; it is a bow hung out for show, no longer used for war. It is a bow of many colors, expressing joy and delight, and not a bow blood-red with slaughter or black with anger. Let us be of good courage. Never does God so darken our sky as to leave His covenant without a witness, and even if He did, we would trust Him since He cannot change or lie or in any other way fail to keep His covenant of peace. Until the waters go over the earth again, we shall have no reason for doubting our God.
Sermon Outline
- Faith Sees the Bow of Covenant Promise
- God's Covenant Unchanging
- Faith in the Face of Trouble
- Dismissing Groundless Fears
- Trust in God's Covenant
Key Quotes
“Faith always sees the bow of covenant promise whenever sense sees the cloud of affliction.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“It is a bow without an arrow or a string; it is a bow hung out for show, no longer used for war.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Until the waters go over the earth again, we shall have no reason for doubting our God.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should not let our fears get the best of us, but instead trust in God's covenant promise.
- Faith in God's faithfulness gives us courage to face the challenges of life.
- God's covenant of peace is a reminder that He will never leave us without a witness of His faithfulness.