Genesis 8:20-9:19.  God has just lashed out in fierce anger over the sinfulness and corruption of humanity, and destroyed almost every living thing on the planet.  If God is like this, how will life survive?

God makes a covenant with Noah and all the creatures of the earth.  He promises not to ever destroy the earth with  a flood again.  He requires that human life be protected by the principle of talion,  a life for a life.  He presents a rainbow as the sign of this new covenant of protection.  When rain clouds appear, the bow will be there, reminding the planet that God – who can destroy us – has decided to save us.

LORD, thank you for the sign of your decision to save life.  Thank you for the cross.