I have deemed last week to be the Week of the Rainbow. As silly as it may sound, it seems like everyone I know saw a rainbow at some point during the week. At the beach, at church, at home, and over Charlotte, NC are just a few of the rainbow locations I've heard about. For me, I saw a beautiful rainbow right by my house one night after a storm. But then that's the way rainbows work. They are always seen right after a storm.
Have you ever noticed that you don't see rainbows when it's sunny and cloudless? Of course scientists have an explanation for this, but I prefer the biblical answer. I remember how as a young child I loved the story of Noah and the ark. Aside from insects and reptiles, I have always loved animals. I suppose that is why the story appealed to me as a little girl. But as I've grown and experienced difficult personal storms, the story of Noah has come to mean a great deal to me.
I love that God was with Noah and his family throughout the course of the flood. Even after the rain had subsided, God continuously showed Noah He was leading and protecting him. Once Noah, his family, and the animals were safely on dry land, God made a rainbow as a promise to the world that He would never again wipe out the human race with a flood.
Have you ever noticed that you don't see rainbows when it's sunny and cloudless? Of course scientists have an explanation for this, but I prefer the biblical answer. I remember how as a young child I loved the story of Noah and the ark. Aside from insects and reptiles, I have always loved animals. I suppose that is why the story appealed to me as a little girl. But as I've grown and experienced difficult personal storms, the story of Noah has come to mean a great deal to me.
I love that God was with Noah and his family throughout the course of the flood. Even after the rain had subsided, God continuously showed Noah He was leading and protecting him. Once Noah, his family, and the animals were safely on dry land, God made a rainbow as a promise to the world that He would never again wipe out the human race with a flood.
It's hard for me to imagine what a beautiful sight the rainbow must have been to Noah. I'm sure his time on the ark was nothing like being on a cruise. Between being storm-tossed and living with who knows how many animals while being their caretaker, he had to have been tired and worn-out. It's possible Noah was even a little discouraged after watching unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights. I know I would have been.
Yet we all must endure our times of storms that seem to never end. We've all heard the phrase "when it rains, it pours." How true a statement. The tests come back positive for cancer. Bills must be paid but the money isn't there. The car needs new tires. And all you want to do is crawl back into bed and hide.
The storms do come. Having a relationship with God doesn't change that fact. Yet because of our relationship with God, we have hope when no one else does. Just as the rainbow stood as reminder to Noah of God's grace and mercy to carry him through the storm, we too know God is with us in the storm. Not only that, but He will carry us through the storm to the other side.
Scientists say that rainbows are at their brightest and the most beautiful when the storm has just ended. The rainbow shines the most when it uses the darkest cloud as its backdrop. This is also true for each of us. We've all gone through storms and will go through them again. Yet God wants us to never forget He is with us in those storms. This truth should encourage us to keep pressing on.
So whatever you're going through today, look up. God's rainbows are there. Let the promise of His love and care be an anchor for your soul.
"...For He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.' " ~ Hebrews 13:5-6
(c) March 28, 2012
Yet we all must endure our times of storms that seem to never end. We've all heard the phrase "when it rains, it pours." How true a statement. The tests come back positive for cancer. Bills must be paid but the money isn't there. The car needs new tires. And all you want to do is crawl back into bed and hide.
The storms do come. Having a relationship with God doesn't change that fact. Yet because of our relationship with God, we have hope when no one else does. Just as the rainbow stood as reminder to Noah of God's grace and mercy to carry him through the storm, we too know God is with us in the storm. Not only that, but He will carry us through the storm to the other side.
Scientists say that rainbows are at their brightest and the most beautiful when the storm has just ended. The rainbow shines the most when it uses the darkest cloud as its backdrop. This is also true for each of us. We've all gone through storms and will go through them again. Yet God wants us to never forget He is with us in those storms. This truth should encourage us to keep pressing on.
So whatever you're going through today, look up. God's rainbows are there. Let the promise of His love and care be an anchor for your soul.
"...For He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.' " ~ Hebrews 13:5-6
(c) March 28, 2012
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