Following the Trail of God's Promises: The 40-Day ChallengeSample

9. The Making of the First Covenant

We usually associate the scene of the first covenant with a rainbow as its sign. However, I suspect that many of us have always read this passage such that we immediately see in it God's promise to humanity - to us, the people. God promises to never again threaten such a catastrophe of the earth that would bring mankind to the brink of destruction. However, if we allow ourselves a little more careful observation, we will notice that God makes this covenant with all living creatures. What’s more, he places the rainbow as a pledge of the covenant between Him and the earth. The covenant promise is meant for every living thing on this planet. And if God pledges not to bring His creation to the brink of destruction, then why does it seem that we, as the crown of creation, are trying to push nature, flora and fauna over that edge with our way of life? And where did we get the idea that we could avoid that destruction, especially if we see that God Himself views man as an inseparable part of His creation? It will be far wiser if we remember that the first covenant that God made is still valid. So the next time we see a rainbow, let us think about what we are ready to do, such that together with this precious living world we can await that final redemption, in anticipation of which “the whole creation has been groaning together “ (Romans 8:22).

PRACTICAL CHALLENGE

Day 9. How can you concretely do at least one thing today that will contribute to ecological betterment and not destruction? Can you buy reusable shopping bags, do something in your own home or dare to take a bigger step that will contribute to the preservation and betterment of everything that surrounds us?