Yes, this is the thought that would readily come to mind each time I see a rainbow.
It is God’s way of reminding me of His sovereign power and atoning grace.
Seeing a rainbow in the sky makes me recall God’s promise to Noah after the great flood.
Noah’s flood story is one of my favourite Sunday school stories. The rainbow that marks God’s promise never to bring flood again makes the story more unforgettable.
Know the assurance that God gives through the rainbow in Genesis 9:8-16.
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.
I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
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: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Are you going through complex and uncertain situations today?
Do you see your life leading to uncertainty?
Are you experiencing tremendous trials for standing firm on God’s righteousness?
Or maybe, despite your faithfulness to God, you are in a situation that doesn’t seem to make sense at the moment?
Don’t give up. Focus on your faith in God’s promises. Learn about how you will surrender and obey His will.
Asking God “Why?” and finding reasons for things currently affecting you, presenting that you don’t deserve the trials, will push you towards resentment. How about asking, “Why not?”
Psalm 25:4-5 offers a short prayer,
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
When you see your situation as unbearable, look up to the sky, and watch out for a rainbow.
When you see one, be reminded of God’s everlasting covenant.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).
AFTERTHOUGHTS:
I wrote this reflection and published it on 28 July 2012, when things weren’t so bright. We were at the end of the 9-month WTR (work-to-resident) visa that the Immigration NZ gave us. Yeah, we held on to God’s rainbow of promises, and He established us in His time. 🙂
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