God’s Promise: Never Again!

God’s Promise: Never Again!There is a way of escape from the judgment coming upon the earth.I was out walking the family dog one day. It was one of those days when it was raining, and yet the sun was shining. As I looked up into the sky, I saw a brilliant rainbow like none I have ever seen before. That rainbow reminded me of a promise God made in the book of Genesis: “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign ... Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life” (Gen. 9:13,15). It was a promise God made to Noah after the great flood which destroyed all living things that did not go into Noah’s Ark. It does not matter how hard it rains or how severe the storms are, God’s promise is as true today as it was then. There may be devastating hurricanes like those that hit the USA a few years ago. There may be violent storms and floods in various parts of the world. But, God will never again destroy the world with a flood. God’s promises are true and He can be trusted to keep His word. However, this world is going to be destroyed one day, not with water this time, but with fire. Look at what the apostle Peter wrote: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Pet. 3:10). Now God is a God of love! And there is a way of escape from the judgment coming upon the earth. God has delayed His actions because “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Just as God promised Noah that He would never again flood the earth, so He makes a promise to us: If we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we “shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). Long before God destroys this world, He will take out of it all those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Those who have died will be raised from the grave, while those who are still alive will be caught up in the air to be with Him forever (1 Th. 4:16). So the next time you see a rainbow, let it remind you of God’s love, and His very special promise that you do not have to perish. You can avoid the coming judgment by putting your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Do it now! Time is running out and God’s patience will not last forever. “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). By Ernie Bartlett, from Alive Magazine, by permission.