“Quick! Send Me a Rainbow!”

“Quick!  Send Me a Rainbow!”

By Susanne Scheppmann

Key Verse:

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven Psalm 107:29-30 (NIV).   

Devotion:

Sheets of rain pelt the front bay window, again.  The news reports of flooding throughout the nation.  Homes wash away.  Mudslides tear through communities.  Storms rage outside my home, while inside mundane strife threatens a downpour of gloomy moods.  It’s a dismal day.

My friend, Tiffany Berg, says, “Every girl should own two things—an umbrella and a feather boa.  You never know what kind of day it’s going to be!”  Today happens to be an umbrella day.  I need a large umbrella, but my heart desires a bright rainbow to hover over me.  And I want it now! 

Remember the story of Noah?  He built the boat, the animals came, it rained for days on end, and then God sent the rainbow.  God spoke to Noah, 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 Genesis 9:16 (NIV).

     

That promise gives me hope during the sundry storms of my life.  The dishwasher floods the floors, the roof leaks, the kids catch the flu, or my husband is laid-off.  God’s promise holds true in these storms as well as nature’s downpours.  Jesus promises, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world  John 16:33 (NIV).  He promises us peace through all the rough weather of life. His promise holds true because he has the power to fulfill the promise. 

 Let’s look at a storm Christ’s disciples went through in Matthew 8:  

“Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him.  The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm.  Waves were crashing into the boat - and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, "Master, save us! We're going down!" 

 Jesus reprimanded them.  "Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?"  Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: "Silence!"  The sea became smooth as glass. The men rubbed their eyes, astonished.  "What's going on here?  Wind and sea come to heel at his command!"  (The Message)

This is what I love about Jesus.  Not only did he calm a stormy sea, but also within the next few verses, he went on to heal two demon-possessed men and a paralytic.  He is the Living Son of God who has the power to keep me safe and secure through any circumstantial tornado that rips through my life.  He will guide me to a safe haven. 

So as the clouds continue to gather, I am going to find my umbrella.  I am going outside to catch a glimpse of a multi-hued prism, the rainbow.  Then I’ll come inside and search for that feather boa.  Because when the sunshine comes peeking through, I want to be ready for a new day. 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to remember that regardless of life’s storms you are my safe haven.   Remind me that you have the power to calm the rough waters that occasionally flood my life.  Lord, help me to see the multi-colored rainbows that you set in my life for encouragement.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

 Application steps:

Take a moment to read Matthew 8:1-9.  Jot down all the miracles Jesus performed.  Then list the needs in your life.  Ask Christ to come and provide a rainbow in each circumstance.

© 2005 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.