It was a storm, for sure.
Having rained for forty days and forty nights!
Water higher than the mountains!
But not yet, no rainbow had ever been seen!
However, once the ravages of that fierce world-wide Flood had subsided, God made Noah and his family an enduring Promise!
That never again would He so overcome the earth with such a vast Flood!
Then God gave Noah a “token” of His Grace!
“And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my BOW in the CLOUD, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:11-13
Wow!
Hereafter, in God’s Economy, there will be a “pretty, bright, rainbow” somewhere in each “dark storm cloud” that comes upon earth!
One more verse from Genesis 9 with God Himself talking: “And it shall come to pass, when I bring a CLOUD over the earth, that the BOW shall be seen in the CLOUD.” Genesis 9:14
So, with God, there is indeed hope for something lovely in every ugly situation!
For example, in all Joseph’s sufferings, trials and hardships … God ultimately brought “good!” (Read this, Joseph’s testimony to his cruel brothers: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20, there certainly being a rainbow in that cloud!)
And in the New Testament, Paul comes to mind. A “thorn in the flesh” that would not go away, even God said “No!” But the Lord again kept His Promise (about the bow in the cloud) and told Paul: “There will be a “rainbow” in your “storm!” (Read this too, Paul’s testimony: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me A THORN IN THE FLESH (the storm), the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: FOR MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS (the rainbow). Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, what amazing grace!)
Wow!
Now I am wondering if perhaps today I could be writing (speaking) to a Christian who is “in a storm?” It’s “dark” all around you? Frightening? Lonely?
I am suggesting to you today, try looking for a “rainbow” amidst all the turmoil!
It might be dim at first, nearly obscured by the rain or blinding wind!
But keep looking!
After all, God did say so … “And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the BOW shall be seen in the CLOUD.”
Psalm 30:5 might be applicable, encouraging here too: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: WEEPING may endure for a night, but JOY cometh in the morning.”
I know nothing else to say, after that!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Yes, there’s hope!
Thank God!