Recently, my sister and I were driving home from a trip out of town. Before heading back, we stopped for dinner and enjoyed a meal together.
As we continued down the road toward home, the sun shone brightly overhead. It was a beautiful day, and the clear weather made the drive especially pleasant.
As I looked into the distance I said, “It looks like it could storm.” My sister replied, “Yes, a friend said we could get some storms.” I opened the weather app on my phone to find there were no storms or even rain in sight. Still something about the sky suggested otherwise.
I looked up again, I said, “Look, it looks like it is pouring rain ahead of us.” Sure enough, within seconds we were in a full-blown storm. It was raining so hard you couldn’t see. The wind was blowing trees and debris around furiously. Wind gusts were so fierce it moved the vehicle.
As we drove through the storm, my sister suddenly said, “Look!”
Up ahead was the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. Its brilliant colors stretched across the sky, standing in sharp contrast to the dark clouds around it. Strangely, it appeared only long enough for us to admire its beauty before fading from view and disappearing completely.
A rainbow always speaks to me of God’s faithfulness and His enduring promises. We both knew God had spoken; we drove on silently for a few minutes. Then I said, “Had we not went through the storm, we would have never seen that beautiful rainbow.
Isn’t it always that way?
We don’t have a testimony without a test. We don’t see a rainbow without the storm.
None of us want to go through challenging times, I can’t imagine why anyone would. However, it is in those times that I personally experience the most growth in God. Perhaps it is because I cling closely to Him and His word during those times. Or maybe it is because He shows His faithfulness as He walks with us through hard seasons. I’m not sure why, but I have noticed I tend to grow more during such times.
Jesus said that we would face challenges in John 16:33.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Then we have Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
One of my favorites is Isaiah 43:2.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
There is a translation of the Bible that I love this verse in.
Do not fear, for I, your Kinsman-Redeemer, will rescue you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you. When you pass through raging rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you, for I am your Savior, Yahweh, your mighty God, the Holy One of Israel! (Is 43:1-3)
That verse touches my heart deeply. God is faithful. Yes, we go through storms BUT He is always with us and if we continue to trust Him – we will see promises fulfilled. We will have a testimony. We will see victory. It’s His promise.
We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. (Ps 66:12)
One translation says.
You’ve allowed our enemies to prevail against us. We’ve passed through fire and flood, yet in the end you always bring us out better than we were before, saturated with your goodness.
My friend, I don’t know what you are going through, but this I do know, our God is faithful and this season will end. If you continue to trust God, He will bring you out better than before. Saturated with His goodness. Let those words seep down deep inside your heart – you will be saturated with all His goodness. That is worth standing in faith for, don’t you think?
