Today felt gray, heavy, and full of rain.
I had the day off and planned to work outside—but God had a different plan. Instead of staying busy, I slowed down. I sat with my coffee and allowed the quiet to settle in, wondering what He might have in store for me in the stillness.
As I began looking back through some of my past writing, I came across a theme I had returned to more than once—the rainbow. And today, it spoke to me again in a deeper way.
After the rain comes the rainbow.
We’ve all seen it. A storm passes, the sky begins to open, and suddenly a rainbow appears—calm, beautiful, almost unexpected. But it is more than just a natural display of light and color. It carries meaning. It points to something far greater than what we see.
In today’s world, the rainbow has taken on many different meanings. But its original significance is rooted in Scripture. It is a symbol of God’s covenant—a promise made after the flood that would endure through every generation.
In Genesis, God speaks to Noah:
“I will establish my covenant with you… neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth… I set my bow in the cloud…”
— Genesis 9:11–13
The rainbow was not given as decoration. It was given as a reminder.
Every time it appears, it points us to two unshakable truths: God is faithful to keep His promises, and His mercy endures through every generation.
“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations…”
— Psalm 119:90
The rainbow is a visible reminder of something invisible—God’s faithfulness.
But it doesn’t only point us backward to the flood. It also points us forward to something even greater: the cross.
Both the rainbow and the cross stand as powerful covenant symbols in Scripture. They share a profound connection. Each comes after judgment. Each reveals mercy. And each declares that God is faithful to redeem.
After the flood, the rainbow marked a covenant of preservation. Judgment had passed, but mercy remained. God promised that the earth would never again be destroyed in that way.
“The bow shall be in the cloud… a sign of the everlasting covenant…”
— Genesis 9:16
At the cross, however, something deeper took place. Jesus took upon Himself the judgment for sin. Through His sacrifice, a new covenant was established—not just to preserve life, but to offer eternal life.
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood…”
— Luke 22:20
The rainbow declares that life will be preserved.
The cross declares that life can be redeemed.
Both reveal the same truth:
“The Lord is merciful and gracious… plenteous in mercy…”
— Psalm 103:8
The rainbow reflects mercy after the judgment of the flood.
The cross reveals mercy after the judgment of sin.
One preserved humanity physically.
The other redeems humanity eternally.
To fully understand the beauty of the rainbow, we must also understand what came before it. The flood was not a minor event—it was a complete reset of creation. Scripture tells us that the world had become so filled with corruption that it grieved the heart of God.
“It repented the Lord that he had made man…”
— Genesis 6:6
Imagine Noah stepping off the ark into a silent, unfamiliar world. Everything had changed. Nothing looked the same. Now imagine seeing storm clouds again for the first time after that experience. Every drop of rain could have felt like the beginning of another catastrophe.
That is why the rainbow mattered so deeply. It was not just beautiful—it was reassurance. It was a visible promise for a heart that had experienced judgment. God didn’t just stop the rain—He gave Noah something to hold onto.
And in many ways, we are not so different.
We may not face a global flood, but we all experience storms—seasons of loss, uncertainty, hardship, or spiritual dryness. Moments where the clouds linger and the weight feels heavy.
In those times, we often look for reassurance in the wrong places—our finances, our status, or the approval of others. But those things are temporary. They shift. They fail.
God’s promises are different.
They are fixed.
Unchanging.
Independent of our circumstances.
Just like the rainbow—set in the sky, beyond human control.
So when the storms of life begin to fall, we don’t have to panic. We simply have to look up and remember that the God who kept the earth from drowning is the same God who keeps our souls from sinking.
The next time you see a rainbow, don’t just admire its beauty. Let it remind you of God’s mercy, His faithfulness, and His promises. And more importantly, let it draw your heart to the cross—where His mercy was fully revealed.
Because the greatest promise was not placed in the sky.
It was fulfilled on the cross.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8
💭 Reflection
- What storms am I facing right now?
- Where am I looking for reassurance?
- Am I trusting God’s promises—or my circumstances?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your promises that never fail. Help me to remember Your faithfulness in the middle of life’s storms. Teach me to look to You instead of temporary things for peace and security. Let every reminder in creation draw my heart closer to You and to the truth of the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Christ,
Jeffrey Trester
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