Encouragement for Today - July 28, 2005
July 28
Encouragement for Today
“Quick! Send Me a Rainbow!”
By Susanne Scheppmann, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member, Co-editor of Online Devotions
Key Verse:
Psalm 107:29-30, “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” (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 house, while inside my home mundane strife threatens a downpour of gloomy moods. It’s a dismal day.
My friend, Tiffany Berg of Succeeding Gracefully, 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!” Well, today happens to be an umbrella day. I need a large umbrella, but my heart desires a bright multi-colored rainbow to hover over me. And I want the rainbow now!
Do you recall 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 hardwood floors, the roof leaks, the kids catch the flu, my husband is laid-off, or I discover a lump. God’s promise holds true in these types of 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)
Now here 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.
My Prayer for Today:
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. Now, list all the needs in your life. Ask Christ to come and provide a rainbow in each circumstance of need.
Reflection Points:
Do I believe Jesus has the power to calm the storms in my life?
Am I afraid and fearful like the disciples were during the rough seas?
Do I sometimes fear that Jesus doesn’t care about my troubles?
What type of rainbows has he provided in past storms of my life?
Power Verses:
Genesis 9:16, “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" (NIV).
Psalm 55:5-8, “Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest - I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm" (NIV).
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God.” (NIV).
Psalm 31:2-3, “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (NIV).
Additional Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_whatHappens.htm
Message of the Month Club
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/resourceMessage.htm
Get Over It and On With It, by Michelle
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_getOverIt.htm
