JANUARY 7

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

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Genesis 9:13

“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

Joshua 24:15

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,….. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

Ps 96:9

“Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!   Tremble before Him, all the earth.”

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Revelation 4:3

“And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.”

Psalm 66:4

“All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah”

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This month we’re reading  the new devotional   “Becoming New”,  written by  Warren W. Wiersbe and compiled by his grandson.  Pastor Wiersbe was the President of Moody Bible Institute before the current President, Erwin Lutzer.  

THE PROMISE OF GOD

Read Genesis 9:8-17, Ezekiel chapter 1, and Revelation chapter 4

I was surprised to hear that the song “Over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz was named the “Song of the Twentieth Century.”  Rarely does a song still garner attention six decades after it was written.  The lyrics evoke a sense of hope for tomorrow that will be here soon.  Rainbows have fascinated humanity since the beginning,  Of course, the Bible has something to say about rainbows and the promise they hold for those who trust in God’s redemptive, transforming plan.

GOD’S GRACE –THE CERTAINTY OF HIS WORD (Gen. 9:8-17).  The rainbow was the sign of God’s covenant with us that there would not be another flood to destroy all life upon the earth.  We see dark clouds gather before the storm and they are accompanied by lightning and thunder and sometimes strong wind, and the coming of a storm frightens people.  But if they would recall the rainbow they saw after the last storm, their hearts would not be afraid.  Charles Spurgeon points out that the bow is aimed upward, toward heaven, which suggests that the judgment for sin was aimed at God and not us!”  The Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6).  God has every right to destroy the wicked, yet He keeps His Word and calls sinners to repentance.

GOD’S GOVERNMENT –THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL (Ezekiel 1).   Ezekiel, a Jewish priest exiled in Babylon, was called to be a prophet.  But the exile wasn’t his greatest burden, for the Lord showed him a storm, and in the midst of the storm, a crystal pavement carrying a throne.  There were wheels at each corner of the pavement with an angelic creature guiding the workings of each wheel.  On the throne was the Lord God, completely in charge.  The vision revealed to Ezekiel that a terrible invasion would sweep over the kingdom of Israel and result in the devastation of the land the ruin of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the holy temple.  BUT, AROUND THE THRONE WAS A RAINBOW!   In His anger, the Lord was remembering mercy (Hab 3:2).

In the midst of life’s storms, we know that God is on the throne, surrounded by a rainbow of grace, and He is at work weaving all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  We don’t always understand God’s workings, but we can always trust His will.  Mysteries we cannot explain abound in our lives, but God is on His throne and we need not be discouraged.

GOD’S GREATNESS –THE GLORY OF HIS WORSHIP (Rev 4).  “And the glow of an emerald circled His throne like a rainbow.”  (4:3).  John recorded the many terrible judgments God would send on the earth, but God was on the throne and the rainbow assured His people the judgments would result in His glory.  The judgments recorded in Revelation 6-18 climax with a heavenly “Hallelujah Chorus.”  Praise the Lord!  For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns”  (vs 6). 

Seeing the rainbow around the throne comforts and assures us as we worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.

We may not see visions as did Ezekiel and John but a promise in Scripture, a verse from a hymn, or even an encouraging word from a friend can be a “rainbow” to assure us that all is well.  Noah reminds us that God’s grace is present AFTER the storm.  Ezekiel reminds us that His government is present DURING the storm, and John reveals to us that His greatness is present BEFORE the storm!  The cumulative effect is to remind us to trust the Lord at all times.

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