Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease” (Gen. 8:21, 22) What is significant here is that the covenant promises God gave Noah and his family originated as an intent in God’s heart. God determined in His own heart what He would do before He expressed His intent in the form of a covenant promise. God’s promise was freely made. It was in no way dependent on what Noah or any of his descendants might do or not do in the future. The principle of God’s sovereign control (Genesis 9:11).