Hi and welcome to this Friday edition of Our Daily Bread. I'm Kirsten Holmberg, and I titled

Today's Reading, Rainbow Halo. On a hike in the mountains, Adrian found himself above some low-lying

clouds. With the sun behind him, Adrian looked

down and saw not only his shadow, but also a brilliant display known as the broken specter. This

phenomenon resembles a rainbow halo, encircling the shadow of the person. It occurs when the

sunlight reflects back off the clouds below.

Adrian described it as a magical moment, one that delighted him immensely. We can imagine how similarly

stunning seeing the first rainbow must have been for Noah. More than just a delight to his eyes,

the refracted light and resulting colors came with a promise from God.

After a devastating flood, God assured Noah,

and all the living creatures who've lived since,

that never again would the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Our earth still experiences floods and other frightening weather that results in tragic loss.

But the rainbow was a promise that God will never judge the earth again with a worldwide flood.

This promise of his faithfulness can remind us that though we

individually will experience personal losses and physical death on this earth, whether by disease,

natural disaster, wrongdoing, or advancing age, God bolsters us with his love and presence

throughout the difficulties we face.

Sunlight reflecting colors through water is a reminder of his faithfulness to fill the earth

with those who bear his image and reflect his glory to others.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Genesis, Chapter 9, verses 12 through 17.

And God said, this is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come.

...