Rainbow Promise!

October 21, 2021

Rainbow Promise!

I shared a story about rainbows with our children and students in worship a couple of weeks ago.  The story was about God’s promise to give us another chance even after we have messed things up.  The sign of God’s promise is the rainbow that appears just after a storm.

I don’t know about you, but I have messed some things up.  I have been too abrupt and impatient in a conversation with someone I love.  I have become too angry for too long with a situation I did not create. 

I don’t know about you, but I have made some mistakes.  I have failed to forgive a deep hurt inflicted on me.  I have failed to follow-through with something I said I would do for a person who was counting on me.

I don’t know about you, but I have hurt some people.  I have spoken too quickly about something I knew too little.  I have failed to listen when the other person only needed someone to care enough to listen.

These experiences create their own kind of storm in my life.  I don’t need another storm; I need another chance!

I need another chance at life and love and faith; I need God’s grace!  And so, the Lord gives me…and you…a rainbow to remind us that He will give us another chance. 

I was driving home the other day, when I noticed off to my right there was a very bright rainbow.  Except for one little section, it touched the ground on both ends.  I was inspired because the rainbow is a sign of God’s promise to give us another chance.  It was like Jesus was speaking a word of encouragement to me in that moment.

Many are giving up on the world right now; too much division, too little kindness, too much judgement, too little Jesus.  The cry of this generation is, “Can things get any worse?” 

Not me!  I am as hopeful now as ever because the Lord God gives us a rainbow promise after every storm.  My cry is, “Be encouraged by the love of Jesus for each person!”  The storm will not last.

After sharing about God’s rainbow promise in the Bible, I had prayer with the children and students.  I thought that was the end of that story. 

However, after worship three different children came up to me with a “sticker picture.”  Each picture had a church surrounded by all shapes and sizes and cultures and colors of children.  Above the church was a smiling sun (think Son of God) and a rainbow.

The children got it!!!

The storm may be intense and difficult, but God has a promise for you.

The situation may be oppressive and unfair, but God has a promise for you.

The circumstances may be abusive and painful, but God has a promise for you.

The present may be lonely and sad, but God has a promise for you.

In Genesis 9:13 we hear the Lord God’s promise; “I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant (promise!) between me and the earth.”  The Lord God has made a promise to give you and me another chance.  The sign of that promise is the rainbow.

When I remember God’s promise to hold and keep me, my heart delights in the Lord.  I know there is hope and love.  I know there is peace and joy.  I know there is strength and courage. 

The good news is there is a rainbow promise for you today.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug