Rainbow

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless." Psalm 18:30 "My comfort in my suffering is this: You promise preserves my life." Psalm 119:50 (Solomon's prayer) ..."You have hept your promise to your servant David, my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it-as is is today." 1 Kings 8:24 ***Before reading the post, if at all possible, please go and get your Bible*** For the past couple of weeks, we have had so much rain in our area. It has rained day after day. Creeks were overflowing, water was standing everywhere, and dripping constantly from the trees and the rooftops. My son Canaan and I were riding in the car a few days ago. It was raining very hard as we were driving. Canaan asked me, "Mommy, is God mad or upset with us?" Even though I have learned that age 4 is an age of what seems like, 'never ending question-time for mommy', I will admit, this question made me smile. It made me smile because I knew God was about to teach me something through this child, as He has so many times before. I asked Canaan what had made him think that God was mad or angry. He said, "Well, you know a long time ago, God got upset with all those people that were being ugly and He told Noah to build a boat and then He sent rain. Lots of rain! And it flooded the whole world!" I told Canaan that he was right in what had happened in the story. But then I told him that he had forgotten the best part of the story... the rainbow. I told Canaan how God sent that rainbow to show Noah that He promised never to flood the Earth, in that way, again. I heard myself end the conversation with, "And when God promises something, we can always believe Him." At that moment, I felt the sweet, still, small voice of God say to me, "But in my word, I have promised much more, Corrie, than withholding a flood. The promises to you in my word are much greater than that of the rainbow. You must believe in all my promises like you believe in my promise that I won't flood again. My word is full of even greater one's for you." This moved me to probe deeper into my own heart. I hope you will too... Is is me or does life seem to be getting harder? Sometimes, I like to think back to my childhood and spending time at my grandparent's house in the country. When I was four, I stayed with them during the day while my mom worked at a local sewing plant. I can remember the only cares I had were if I would be able to watch Sesame Street that day (if I got up from my nap in time) and hoping that my mom would be a little late picking me up so I could stay with my Mamaw for a few more minutes :-) As a four year old, my heart was light. All I needed, I knew my parents could take care of. Now, the world is so very different. Stress is a feeling that all of us know too well. Anxiety, depression follow stress and can be frequent 'visitors'that weigh down our heart and mind. It is true, the world is changing and trials come harder and faster. But as Christians, this should come as no surprise. God's word tells us from the very beginning what we must prepare for. Currently, I am learning, in my walk with God, the importance of the His infallible word. God's word. The Bible. That is what this post is about: God's promises to us; Do we even know them? It's not to place focus on our trials because those are guaranteed. And to be honest, focusing on the trial is what brings us stress, depression, anxiety, etc. But it is better to place focus on how to seek answers from God through His word, while the trial is whirling around us. Kind of like, finding the eye of the storm. The question God was asking me through what Canaan had said was 'did I believe that His word is true and is it applicable to every single question, situation, or trial that comes to me?' The answer is 'yes'. God's word is not to be read just on a rainy day, or when just because it's Sunday, or only when something is wrong. It is not a last resort. It was given to us to help us to endure, be empowered, and stand firm. It is what sets us apart as His children. A simple Proverb may sound good to even a non believer, but it is the Holy Spirit who, for the believer, takes that wording on a piece of paper and speaks to our hearts, causing us to feel a 'lighter load' and to build our faith in our Lord. God's word has power. It has power because it is God's very breath spoken to you and to me. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." If you can, pick up your Bible and hold it in your hands (right now, as you continue to read). Thumb through the pages. Do you know that you are holding the very breath of God in your hands? Have you searched in that word for your answers to a problem that is on your mind right now? Not just a couple of times to let your finger fall on a verse and then read it, but have you begged for God to speak to you through His HOLY word? We must believe that just as God promised not to flood the entire world again, we must also believe the other promises He states in His word for you and for me. But we must search and read His word for these answers. I know that so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are going through fiery trials. This includes myself. Sometimes those trials feel as though you are hanging on by a thread. But God is showing me that while He is a God who comforts, He is a God who helps. He is a God of miracles and He is a God of power! You and I must dive into His word to find our answers, these promises. I want to be in His word everyday. I want to study to find these golden nuggets of what God wants for me. We must understand that the answer to a distant relationship with Him is in His word. The answers on how to give to Him a relationship that is broken between you and your spouse, your child, or your friend, is found in His word. The answer to breaking free from a dark past, doubt, and fear is found in a new identity in His word. His word tells you how to finally feel His peace for the grief you feel in the death of someone you loved. His word offers direction to having financial security. I could go on and on. The point He is making is that what we need has to be sought in His word, not in the world. I was surprised to realize that in all the times I had seen heavy rain, even flooding in some areas, I had never worried that God would break His promise that He made that day with Noah. But how I have worried in other areas of my life... and He had given me His promise not to fail me in those situations either. It wasn't Him, it was me and my unbelief in His flawless word. His word is full of promises. Promises that He has never broken to you or to me. It is up to us to make the effort to go there first. The answers are there...the promises are there. It wasn't about a colorful rainbow, it was a promise to His children. We can count on Him to be faithful in every problem, every season, every detail. Next time you see a rainbow, I hope it means more. It definitely will to me now... Love, Corrie My prayer for today: Father, I come to you, with your word laid our before me. Help me to remember your faithful promises, Lord. Prompt me to search for you day and night. For those who are reading this now and are weary, show them the answers that they need, God. Show them the power of your very breath leaping off the pages! For those who are reading this in places that they cannot have even one piece of paper of the Bible, bless them Father. Give them your word, somehow. Provide a way. Forgive me for taking this very copy of your inspiration for granted and sitting it aside while I look elsewhere for you. Thank you for you word. Teach me your promises for my life...