Today's writing, "RAINBOWS, COMINGS AND GOINGS," is about the special meaning of double rainbows, and how they can remind us of several promises of God over our comings and goings throughout our lives. May He send many rainbows your way!
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional
"RAINBOWS, COMINGS AND GOINGS"
by
Jan Andersen
We have had more rain than usual in Arizona this year. One of the blessings we sometimes receive after the showers is a rainbow. The other day I felt doubly blessed when I saw a double rainbow in the early evening sky as a rain shower tapered off and the sun’s rays peaked from underneath the clouds before sunset. It was a beautiful reminder of God’s promises, because the first mention of a rainbow in the Bible was set in the clouds by God as a promise to Noah that He would never flood the entire earth again. So with all the comings and goings on earth, no matter what we do to mess things up, God gives us this promise today as well and reminds us of it with rainbows.
Double rainbows are a special blessing to see. A rainbow always has the same colors in the same order, every time: red on top of the arch, followed by orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. But in a double rainbow, the 2nd fainter image is above that arch with the colors in the reverse order. In some cultures the red symbolizes the feet and violet symbolizes the head, therefore a rainbow symbolizes a human coming from heaven to earth, and a double rainbow represents movement from earth to heaven. It is a symbol of coming and going, and of transformation. So I like to think of a double rainbow as a representation of Jesus Christ, God who has come to earth in human form and gone back to heaven. It also reminds me that we humans one day will go to heaven to live with him forever if we remain faithful. It can even be a reminder that Jesus also promises to return again just as he left. So double rainbows hold many promises of comings and goings!
Most importantly, God promises to be with us at all times and to help us through even the toughest situations and problems. He forgives us of our sins because of Jesus. He will keep the evil foe from having power over us in our comings and goings, and will give us eternal life as a free gift. Praise to our awesome God who paints rainbows in the sky!
Psalm 121:1-2, 7-8 (ESV) I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth… The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Dear Jesus in heaven, we thank you for your wonderful promises and the reminders that you give to us of them. Help us to remember all that you have done for us, especially in coming to earth to suffer and die in our place, and then rise again to heaven to prepare a place for us to be with you. When we see a rainbow, and especially a double one, may it be a reminder of all these things, as well as a way for us to share your promises with others in all our comings and goings. In your name we pray, Amen.
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Song:
"Over The Rainbow"
(Christian Lyrics)
by Rhema Marvanne 8 yr old Gospel singer
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries.
Blog Writers:
Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and Corinne Mustafa
Occasional Contributors:
Kathy Bireley, Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,
Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns
Glenna Williamson, Shelly Keith, Amie Spruiell,
Lisabeth Lipp, and Nandita Bhatnagar
Lisabeth Lipp, and Nandita Bhatnagar
God gives us so much. Just to think our sins can be cleansed and forgiven, and a hope of life eternal in heaven is really something to hang onto! Thanks Jan.
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