Rainbows
The clouds were rolling in and the sky was becoming dark; a storm was brewing in the mountains, and sure enough the rains came down, the thunder roared and the lightening bolted. It lasted for an hour or so and then my family regrouped on the back porch again enjoying the coolness that the rain had left behind. Just a few minutes later I spotted brilliant rainbow, not just one but an additional one lingering just above; subdued in color but clearly a shadowed replica. It was a double rainbow. Absolutely beautiful.
We have all had our life storms, when circumstances darkened and the rains of pain, health issues, fear, sadness, loneliness, frustration, depression, anxiety, anger, or hurt have barreled down upon us. We are often left dealing with soaked emotions of emptiness that leave us searching for shelter to alleviate the distress. And sometimes these rainy days seem to hover forever while others are a just a scattered shower that leaves us temporarily holding tight and finding shelter til it passes.
A scientific explanation of a rainbow is that is is remarkable optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky, when droplets of water capture the light of the Sun in a perfect manner to create a multicolored arc. But pretty sure when we see one, we don’t come back to the definition, rather just feel a sense of wonder and awe as we witness its surprising appearance and beauty.
Genesis 9:8-17 tells the story of the significance of the gifted rainbow symbol that we continue to be blessed to witness. Notice how the “rainbow” is referred to as a “bow”
Genesis 9:8-17
8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,
9 "Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you;
10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.
11 "I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."
12 God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations;
13 I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.
14 "It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud,
15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 "When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
17 And God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth."
And in a nutshell: God was discouraged by human rebellion and what he had meant for good in creation, was now being seen as evil. So he allowed the flood to come and wipe out all flesh except for the animals and those who were with Noah on the arc. The rainbow was a covenant with Noah that never again shall the waters come again and destroy all flesh.
When our storms come barreling in and through, and dark clouds hover upon us, it is hard to sometimes imagine God’s light that hides beneath the clouds but it is always there. If we remember to reflect on the promises of God and the bow he so beautifully created, we can reflect on that image and be reminded that God will never forsake us or leave us. I couldn’t help but think if I parked that rainbow image in my heart and mind every time and when something went awry in my life, and I allowed the feelings to emerge within that I have when I actually see a rainbow, how freeing would that be?
A rainbow is a display of God’s grace and his promise. And just think when a rainbow appears how many people look up and are awed by the vibrancy and wonder of a sign so visible yet so intangible... that is a reflection of God’s glory and presence. We cannot touch it or capture it, even if we try in pictures, we can only treasure it as a sign, still today, that God is always with us. His grace shines upon us always even when we are covered with dark clouds and we must trust that his light will shine through. For it is our Hope in Christ that God's love, God's care, and God's companionship on our journey will not ever change. But it is us who must hold tight to our faith and trust God and recognize his presence in all things and in all ways.
Next time you see a rainbow, just consider how many years ago, that first rain came down and how today the forever blessing of a rainbow remains a vibrant sign that Gods presence, his faithfulness and his love for us remains constant.
Rainbows appear when the circumstances are just right; when there is rain and sun. The glory of the Lord shines most brilliantly not when everything is right with the world, but when I live my daily life in remembrance of what He has done for me, and trust him no matter what life brings my way.
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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