Genesis 9:12-16 ~ God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the water become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
My wife Marianne has a thing about rainbows, and I would like to share her thoughts with you.
“My entire adult life I have loved rainbows. Every time I see one, I remember that God’s promises are forever. I love telling my rainbow stories.”
One of the first rainbows I remember was when I was driving to work in New Jersey just weeks after I moved there; I took a side road through an area called the Duke Estates. I looked out the right window and there was a huge rainbow. Not just one but a double rainbow. It was so beautiful that I stopped my car and got out just to be able to stand in the presence of God. I remember the incredible peace that filled my body. Many times, when we were sailing, we saw rainbows, and it was like a kiss on the cheek from my heavenly father.
But the best part of the story is to come.
Margie, my friend, and I got in the car and headed home, and Margie said “Marianne, look up!” I could not believe my eyes. There had been no rain all day but in the sky was one of the most beautiful rainbows I’d ever seen…. the reason it was the most beautiful because I knew it was just for us. God was smiling down blessing our obedience. He is good… all the time!
One day we were driving toward the camp where Seaside Emmaus holds their Walks. It had been a particularly difficult time for the team involved with Satan working overtime. As we drove toward the camp not knowing what kind of problems we would face Charlie said, “look up in the sky”. I looked up and there was a beautiful rainbow that looked like it landed right on top of the camp. It was as if God was saying “It is in My Hands”.
I knew that eventually I would be asked to serve as Lay Director. I approached this with apprehension and joy. It is quite an honor, but I wasn’t sure I was up to the challenge. I wanted to wait till fall for several reasons, the weather would be nicer, I might be able to get some folks who had served on this team, etc. etc.
I said no a few times but then they ran out of names, so I decided I had no choice. I can’t do it, but God can.
During the weekend, I looked down and there was a piece of paper with a bible scripture on it. It was Proverbs 16:3 – Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. That was HIS promise to me.
As we left the building that evening someone said, “look up, there is a beautiful rainbow in the sky”. What better confirmation could you have?
God is good……all the time!
Recently a few of the “girls” decided to ride up to Fort Mill to visit an old friend who was in an Assisted Living facility. We got there in time to have a nice visit and lunch and then headed home. We stopped for coffee and small talk to break up the trip. Rainbows came up in our conversation, and I told them my “rainbow” stories. We sat there and cherished the gift God had given us. We got in the car to finish our drive home, and it started to rain. It wasn’t long till someone said, “look to your left”. Yes, you guessed it. There was a rainbow in the sky. Once again God reminded us of his faithfulness and His pleasure of our conversation centering on His goodness.”
I hope that you have enjoyed Marianne’s true stories of rainbows in her life.
