On September 11, 2023—the twenty-second anniversary of the attacks against the United States—a stunning double rainbow graced the skies above New York City. Home to the Twin Towers, this city suffered the greatest losses in the attacks. More than two decades later, the double rainbow brought a sense of hope and healing to those who were there to see it. NYC resident Meg Wall’s video clip of the moment seemed to capture the rainbows emanating from the site of the World Trade Center itself.

Rainbows have been an assurance of God’s faithfulness since the days of Noah. In the wake of unimaginable destruction, He set the colorful beacon in the sky as a visual reminder of “the everlasting covenant between [Himself] and all living creatures of every kind on the earth” (Genesis 9:16). After forty dark days of rain and months of flooding, one can only imagine how welcome “the sign of the covenant” must have been to Noah and his family (7:17, 24; 9:13).

When we face dark days and tragic losses in this life—whether due to natural disaster, physical or emotional pain, or the plight of disease—let’s look to God for hope in the midst of it. Even if we don’t catch a glimpse of His rainbow in those moments, we can be assured of His promise and presence.