Past the Storm Clouds

When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. 
Genesis 9:14-15 NLT

There was a lot of chatter at work today about Tropical Storm Cindy, and the level of concern depended largely on which news venue they listened to. Here in southeast Texas, 45 mph winds are not cause for great concern among the general population, and 4 inches of rain seems about standard for a summer storm. I guess the difference is sustained winds versus gusts.  

I was on my way home from church this evening and watched the storm clouds begin to gather. Thick and dark and rolling in like tumbleweed, but every now and then, I'd catch a quick glimpse of sun in the cloud break. Then about halfway home, I saw a snippet of a rainbow behind the bloated clouds. It winked out a few times, and just as I arrived home, the clouds parted and the rainbow appeared - beautiful and vibrant as the covenant it represents. Mere moments later, it was swallowed up in clouds as though it had never been, but I still knew it was there.

It was a great illustrated sermon of the storms of life. If we know God and we know His Word, we should know that we can trust Him no matter what we see. Yes, the storms of life will come. Yes, the clouds will gather and life will seem dark. Yes, the winds will blow, and we may not see what we want to see. But this we know - above it all - the Son of God still reigns. His covenant with us is forever.  As God's Word assures us in 2nd Corinthians 4:18, So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Look past the storm. You will find Him. He is there.

Prayer:

Father,

            Thank You for illustrating Your love and promises to us. Thank You that Your covenants are forever. You always provide what we require to be able to trust You. What a loving Father You are! Keep us ever mindful to look past the storm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* In Spite of the Storm

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:31 NLT

I was on my way from a meeting this evening; the sun was behind me shining brightly into the mass of storm clouds ahead of me. I knew conditions were right for a rainbow...and I was not disappointed. I thanked God for it as I watched it appear, not only for its beauty, but for the covenant - for His Word that stands the test of time. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart with understanding and hope...

As I mentioned, the sun was fully shining behind me, but the storm clouds ahead were daunting. The kind you watch for signs of a tornado. I don't like those, and I had the fleeting thought, 'Why head for the storm when you could turn around and ride into the sunset?' and it was in that moment that the rainbow appeared and I felt peace.

You see, I've been riding the edge of a storm in my life. The winds have been howling, the thunderous clamor of life's circumstances overwhelming at times, and it feels like I'm headed straight into it with no hope to avert. I've been so concerned with trying to find a way to get around the storm that I'd completely lost sight of the ability to go through it with my God who has promised to never leave me, to never forsake me. 

Storms come and go. Battles wax and wane, but the same God who proclaimed, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away, also promised in Matthew 28:20, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Storms and all.

Prayer:

Father, 
         Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for loving us beyond our comprehension, and thank You for being a God who is with us always. Strengthen our hearts, O God, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen