Remembering Rainbows
I hear the opening music, see flashing graphics and a running banner at the bottom of the screen. I know it’s coming. It's The News.
When I was a kid we had to wait until 6:00 PM to watch the news, but now the latest headlines are available at our fingertips from a laptop or a remote control. No matter what time of day or night you watch television or read the banner at the bottom of the screen, the stories are sad, bleak, and discouraging.
Another child is suffering. Another mother hurting. Another Hollywood star arrested.
As a parent, it is difficult to imagine the future of the world for my child. I wonder what lies ahead and what, if anything, I can do about it. I know God is in control, but sometimes it is easy to wonder why He would allow children to continue being born in a world of sadness and sin.
Then I think of Noah.
God’s Word says that in the days of Noah, the world was so corrupt that “the people’s thoughts were continually evil.” (Genesis 6: 5) Even in today’s world, that is hard to imagine. Continually evil.
When I was a kid we had to wait until 6:00 PM to watch the news, but now the latest headlines are available at our fingertips from a laptop or a remote control. No matter what time of day or night you watch television or read the banner at the bottom of the screen, the stories are sad, bleak, and discouraging.
Another child is suffering. Another mother hurting. Another Hollywood star arrested.
As a parent, it is difficult to imagine the future of the world for my child. I wonder what lies ahead and what, if anything, I can do about it. I know God is in control, but sometimes it is easy to wonder why He would allow children to continue being born in a world of sadness and sin.
Then I think of Noah.
God’s Word says that in the days of Noah, the world was so corrupt that “the people’s thoughts were continually evil.” (Genesis 6: 5) Even in today’s world, that is hard to imagine. Continually evil.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6: 8
Imagine Noah in a world much worse than our own, where people constantly committed evil things and constantly thought evil thoughts. Imagine what the news would have been if Noah had a laptop computer.
Now imagine that God, a sovereign and holy God, blessed Noah with children. Three of them. These sons were born into a world of constant evil, a world so evil that it had to be destroyed. God told Noah about His Plan to destroy the earth and its inhabitants.
Then He promised to save Noah and his family.
Here is the most amazing part of it all- God provided a way out, a refuge. The ark. But, He didn’t stop there. God gave Noah instructions to build the ark and He guided Him along the way.
Noah followed the instructions to the cubit. He painstakingly built the largest ship that had been built in his time. His neighbors and friends probably laughed at him. Still, Noah persevered and stood firm in his faith. When the appointed time came, God instructed Noah to take his family and the animals into the ark and then the waters began to destroy the earth.
After the rain had stopped and the water receded, God told Noah when it was safe to leave the ark. Again, Noah trusted and waited for instruction. Even after the dove did not return, He waited for God’s instruction.
As if it were not enough to save Noah and his family, God then made a promise. He promised to never destroy the earth with water again and He set a rainbow in the clouds.
Now imagine that God, a sovereign and holy God, blessed Noah with children. Three of them. These sons were born into a world of constant evil, a world so evil that it had to be destroyed. God told Noah about His Plan to destroy the earth and its inhabitants.
Then He promised to save Noah and his family.
Here is the most amazing part of it all- God provided a way out, a refuge. The ark. But, He didn’t stop there. God gave Noah instructions to build the ark and He guided Him along the way.
Noah followed the instructions to the cubit. He painstakingly built the largest ship that had been built in his time. His neighbors and friends probably laughed at him. Still, Noah persevered and stood firm in his faith. When the appointed time came, God instructed Noah to take his family and the animals into the ark and then the waters began to destroy the earth.
After the rain had stopped and the water receded, God told Noah when it was safe to leave the ark. Again, Noah trusted and waited for instruction. Even after the dove did not return, He waited for God’s instruction.
As if it were not enough to save Noah and his family, God then made a promise. He promised to never destroy the earth with water again and He set a rainbow in the clouds.
“And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.” Genesis 9:16
God said that He would look at the rainbow and remember His promise.
He remembers…
God does the same thing for us today. When we wonder how to protect our children who are born into an evil world, an uncertain time, He promises to save us through Jesus Christ.
He also gives us instructions- His Word.
The Bible gives us answers and guidance in daily living. We may never need to know how to build a boat out of gopher wood, but we will be faced with difficult decisions. Scripture provides the answers. He wants us to follow it to the cubit.
God loves you. He loves your children. When you are faithful and honor Him, He will save and protect you through Jesus Christ. He will show you the way with His Word.
So, when you’re watching the news tonight and the weather report calls for rain, do not be afraid. God is our refuge and He always keeps and remembers His Promises.
God does the same thing for us today. When we wonder how to protect our children who are born into an evil world, an uncertain time, He promises to save us through Jesus Christ.
He also gives us instructions- His Word.
The Bible gives us answers and guidance in daily living. We may never need to know how to build a boat out of gopher wood, but we will be faced with difficult decisions. Scripture provides the answers. He wants us to follow it to the cubit.
God loves you. He loves your children. When you are faithful and honor Him, He will save and protect you through Jesus Christ. He will show you the way with His Word.
So, when you’re watching the news tonight and the weather report calls for rain, do not be afraid. God is our refuge and He always keeps and remembers His Promises.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Psalms 46: 1-2
What about you?
- Have you felt discouraged as a parent?
- Have there been times when you felt like you were busy “building the boat” and your friends were laughing?
- How has God shown you that He remembers?
- Share your rainbow story.
Melanie
You are invited to visit my blog, This Ain't New York.
Labels: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Melanie's Articles, Motherhood
posted by Melanie @ This Ain't New York @ 3:21 AM
6 Comments:
So lovely, bless you.
God answers are prayers, sometmes he puts us in waiting rooms and through our impatience we can get up and leave and go the wrong direction. You blog speaks to me as I pray for my child. God has let met know that He is in control of the situation and it is in His hands, not mine. As I wait I still pray daily for the situation and even though I don't like the wait I have a certain peace that God has given me, that Yes, He is in control!
God bless
My rainbow story: We were doing our monthly WalMart & GoodWill shopping last night. As we were driving through the busy Rochester, MN city streets at rush-hour, there was a RAINBOW in the sky. We noticed that not one person in the other vehicles around us was looking at it or even noticing the beautiful full rainbow. They were too busy building their arks (i.e. talking on thier cell phones, etc.). So. . . so every family member in our van began making HUGE hand motions and pointing at the rainbow. My four-year-old began telling the entire story of Noah to now-watching eyes but un-hearing ears. Man! Did we get some looks!!! And I was a proud parent - my kiddos were NOT among those too busy to notice God's promise. I was not a discouraged parent - and although people were probably laughing at us - all was well!!!!
Melanie,
What a wonderful post....we DO get discouraged as parents...as I imagine God does...
I have felt as if I was "building the boat" while others laughed...and then I remember that at one time I laughed at others who were "building the boat."
I really, really liked this post...
did I mention...really liked it!!
lori
Most definitely I have worried and felt discouraged. Then I realize that God is still in control! Thanks for your wonderful words. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I love rainbows...Papa knows it....I think He smiles when He puts one in the sky right over my head... I believe He makes them just for me... : )
A rainbow story. We had been through some tough times. It was hard to remain steadfast and not lose heart. I just needed something, just some little evidence of God.
I went to an eye exam. The guy who was fitting my glasses began to talk to me. Somehow we got into a conversation where he began to talk to me about his family. His mother was dying of cancer. He was pretty torn up about it. We continued our conversation and walked outside. As I looked up in the sky there was a rainbow. I showed it to him and told him it was a gift from God. He wanted him to know that He saw him... He wanted him to remember He's faithful to His promises. We talked a few more minutes and with tears in his eyes he thanked me.
It is one of my favorite "rainbow" moments.
Thanks for sharing your heart.
Hugs,
Julie
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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!
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