GOD’S RAINBOWS
"The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." Genesis 9:16.
It is hard for me to believe that it has been nearly fifty years ago that I had the privilege to be one of the speakers in a large Bible Conference held in Dallas, Texas.
Inasmuch as I was conducting a revival meeting in Houston that same week, it was necessary for me to fly to and from the Dallas appointment.
My oldest daughter Nancy, at that time just four years old, had been visiting her aunt in Dallas and was quite anxious to fly back to Houston with her father.
Flying back to Houston we encountered a severe thunderstorm over the city of Bryan, Texas. The pilot announced that he was going to take the plane to a higher altitude in order that the plane might fly above the storm.
Soon we beheld the black clouds and darting lightening in the clouds beneath. Above us the sun was shining in all its glory, though quite hidden from the people in the city below us.
In the clouds below us we beheld a wondrous sight; a glorious rainbow stretching from horizon to horizon in the shape of a perfect circle. The rainbow, as a multi-colored halo, was a spectacle to behold!
Nancy was the most thrilled with what she saw. Her enthusiasm could not be constrained any longer. She cried: "Daddy, daddy, look, it’s a rainbow and we’re seeing it from the same side that God sees it from!"
I think perhaps everyone on that crowded airliner was struck with the realization that out of the mouth of a babe had come forth wisdom.
Then I thought, how very true! To the people below all they could vision was storm clouds but we were flying above the clouds, in the glory of the sunshine and in perfect position to see the rainbow that God had put in the clouds. And as Nancy said, we were seeing it from the same side that God sees it from.
So it is in life. When the storm clouds come, try to rise above them by faith, and by faith reach for the sunshine of God’s grace. Meteorologists tell us that there is a bow in every raincloud but one has to be properly positioned to be able to see it.
When we properly position ourselves in relation to God’s will for our lives, it will not be long before we see the rainbow that God has put in the storm clouds of our life, and more importantly, we can see the rainbow from the same side that God sees it from!
All of us are enraptured when we see a rainbow in the clouds after a rain. But the rainbows that God has placed in our spiritual clouds give us comfort and strength both now and in the future.
Let us look at some of the dark clouds that arise in our spiritual life and the rainbows that God wants us to see.
I. The rainbow in the "cloud of adversity" is the rainbow of divine purpose in the life of every child of God.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3.
II. The rainbow in the "cloud of death" is the rainbow of His presence.
Although it is appointed for men to die once (Hebrews 9:27) we have the promise of Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me…"
"Now I say brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption…so when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:50-57.
III. The rainbow in the "cloud of judgment" is the rainbow of God’s mercy and grace.
Just as certain as death, so is the judgment that follows it. But the judgment holds no fear for the child of God. Our sins…all our sins…were expunged by the redeeming blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree…" I Peter 2:24.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Romans 8:1-2 NASB.
The Christian will be judged for his works (or lack thereof)… not of his sins.
"For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds…according what he has done, whether good or bad." Romans 5:10.
