1st Wednesday of Lent (February 21). Never again

Prepare to Listen.  This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.
 
Prayerfully Read Genesis 9:8-17
8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.  11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’  12God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  14When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.  16When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’  17God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
If the story is familiar try reading it as if for the first time, with the mind of a beginner.
 
“Never again,” God promised.  The story begins when God saw the wickedness of humankind, “that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.”  God regretted creating humans and resolved to blot out all creation, beginning again with Noah, who found favor in God’s sight.[1]  These verses are hard to read.  God chose to do this!  The Genesis writer refrains from comment, leaving us wondering and perhaps also reeling at the thought God would be so drastic with God’s creation.
 
The flood happened and receded.  Only Noah and the inhabitants of the ark survived and walked out onto dry ground.  And then God spoke personally to Noah, three times promising, “never again” to destroy the earth, and all that’s in it with flood waters.  A rainbow, said God, will be the sign, a promise to all creation and a reminder to God of his vow.
 
What changed so that God promised “never again”?  It wasn’t anything to do with humankind or creation or the flood waters.  Wickedness wasn’t eradicated; bad things happen and will continue to happen on earth.  Nevertheless, God made the decision to never destroy creation again, a decision based on God’s unqualified, free and generous grace.  The rainbow will forever be the sign for God to remember, no matter how evil things get; forever a sign for us to remember the good news of God’s gracious decision: “never again.”
 
What newness did the story have for you this time?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord God, you are a God who remembers your promise because you are gracious and merciful.  When things get bad, may I rest again in your covenant to never again destroy all the earth.  Amen
 
Live obediently.  Remember God’s promise.  God remembers.
[1] Genesis 6:5-8.