Rainbows

We’ve been seeing a lot of rainbows recently, including a couple of double ones in a clear blue sky – amazing! They are such wonderful things. So, it’s a bit surprising that they are only referred to four times in the bible: the sign of God’s covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:13-15), a representation of God’s glory (Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 4:3), and the glory of heavenly beings (Revelation 10:1).

Rainbows reflect light and they split it into the colours of the spectrum visible to humans. God’s covenant promises reflect His glory, His character. And, just as the rainbow splits the light of the sun into different colours, so God’s promises are many and varied, but all come from one Source. And they are beautiful!

I think my favourite biblical rainbow is the one in Revelation 4:3. It’s like an emerald. Just imagine – a sparkling green rainbow. Wouldn’t that be amazing! Something never seen before. As Paul says, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no one’s heart has imagined all the things that God has prepared for those who love him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9). These are things that come from Him ‘who by His power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20).

You can’t have a rainbow without rain. There was even rain when we saw rainbows in the clear blue sky – rain blown from distant clouds on the strong wind. We could see them, and they were coming in our direction. We don’t like rain, but there are times when we can’t avoid it. And we may go through difficult circumstances. We don’t like them, but there are times when we can’t avoid them. Or, maybe, our circumstances seem all sunny, but we can see clouds looming. One way or another there will be rain – we can’t avoid it.

There may be a rainbow, or maybe not – they don’t happen every day. But, behind the clouds, the sun’s still shining. There’ll be a rainbow somewhere, even though you can’t see it. And God’s promises still stand even when we’ve forgotten them.

Whatever you’re facing today as you read this, keep walking with Jesus and trust God’s promises. To quote Paul again, ‘no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ’ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Here’s one of Jesus’ promises to take with you into today, whatever it will bring: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27).