THE SIGN OF THE RAINBOW - GOD'S PROMISE AND TESTIMONY TO HIS COVENANT
"I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you ..." (Genesis 9:15)
Everyone I know loves to see a rainbow after a storm. God always keeps His promises! We usually say, somewhat ecstatically after a thunderstorm, "Look at that arch of color across the sky. Isn't that a magnificent sight?" The Lord has promised to never flood the world again and the beautiful arch of color we call a rainbow after a storm reminds us of that promise. When it's time to look for a break in the clouds - a ray of sunshine appears, and then the rainbow in the rain. We can trust the Old Testament "I will" promises of God to revitalize our daily lives and restore our spirit to its full, robust, Christ-centered potential when we see the storm clouds roll in.
Our hope lies in the promise of God to keep His Word. He has chosen to deal with His people by making promises and then keeping them. It is the very essence of the azure assurance of the rainbow. After a severe storm, we anticipate a rainbow in the sky and without hesitation go looking for one. We are reminded of God's promise to mankind that has been faithfully happening since the days of Noah. Hearts are put at rest as we experience Christ's out-stretched arms.
There are many cloud-dispersing "I will" promises made to us by Christ throughout the Scriptures. They express His gracious willingness to reach us where we are and give us inexplicable joy. These are tender words that touch us when we hurt and inspire us when we long to hope again. All the Old Testament "I will" promises remind us of the solid biblical truth: God never forgets us and His rainbows in the rain are on time when we doubt His providence and need to learn again to do thins His way.
God's rainbows are reassurance of His faithfulness of His covenant with us. When our lives are filled with the thunderclouds of doubt, God sends His rainbows to us. Clouds remain until we can identify our suffering. Is it physical pain, guilt, grief, emotional hurts, lurking memories, worry over others, or anxiety about the future? Many times cloudy periods could include all the above. Storm clouds help us realize our need for God. Can you hear His whisper in your soul, "I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you." When those difficult clouds of doubt break, the sun shines through again. God often produces a rainbow in the sky, but He also puts a rainbow in our hearts. We begin to see the heavy black clouds that once blocked the sun slowly disappear. The last sprinkling showers subside. Remember, it is the final raindrops after the storm that serve the sun in producing the rainbow!
In remembering the rainbow of the new covenant, Christ brings to our hearts the love shared between Him and the Father. This is the essence of life! Claiming and climbing this rainbow - we in Christ and Christ in us - we share in the mutual expression of eternal love. Hope is always with us.
Lloyd J. Ogilvie says that, "Christ makes climbing the rainbow a daily, fresh source of grace by presenting us faultless before the presence of God's glory. This glory of God is the sum total of all His attributes in the radiant, shining majesty."
Isn't it fun to receive any sort of a greeting card with a rainbow n the front? It reminds us of God's love and promise as He displays Heaven's archway of color. Doubts are erased as we gaze heavenward and hear God's words, "I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you." Christ's love is adequate as He offers color of varying hues to fulfill our every need.
Stress, pain, and frustration are inevitable in today's fast-paced world. But you do not have to let daily problems steal your happiness. Climb the rainbow of Hope. Trust and claim God's promises - abundant life is about to be yours.
