What is a cloud? It's the symbol of a coming storm, rain, or just a visible mass of vapor in the sky. We see clouds almost every day and very rarely does a day pass by that we don't see one in the sky. But no matter what kind of cloud it is, one thing is for sure, it will always cast its shadow upon the earth; blocking the warmth and light of the sun from everything in its path.
And just as there are such clouds in the sky, so are there clouds in our lives, blocking the warmth and light of the blessed Son of God. They too come in many different shapes and sizes and hardly a day passes by that we do not see these clouds in our lives. They come as trials or temptations, tragedies that would try and divert our attention from God. Those things that seem to over take us and while they are happening it seems as though there is not end in sight and no hope of deliverance. But no matter how dark the cloud or how fierce the storm, it is said that for every cloud there is a rainbow and we just need to be in the right place to see it.
Noah, after 150 days in the ark, stepped out only to see the signs of death and judgement all around. With the ground soaking wet and water dripping off everything, how could he think of anything else? And from amid the lowering and vapoury clouds, there suddenly emerged this beautiful bow int he sky, the many colored arc spanning the dark earth adn reflecting the beams of the glorious sun. God had sent a flood upon the earth to judge the wicked and preserve the righteous. For it had been only 10 generations, about 1600 years, since that dreadful day in the garden when sin entered man's heart, and now, total wickedness was upon the earth. God is a Holy God and must judge sin. However, He is a merciful and compassionate God who loves His creation dearly. This is why God promised Noah that He would never again judge the earth with a flood and gave this token as a reminder to men that God's promises are valid and will be upheld.
From that point on, man could rest assured that every time he saw a storm cloud it would bring with it a beautiful rainbow promising and end. In all God's dealings with His people, when He allows a cloud in their lives, He sets His bow in that cloud so that we would not have to fear and could know that He is still in control.
There are four areas I'd like to take a look at today:
I. Clouds come into every life
II. They are allowed for a reason
III. The same God that allows the cloud sends the rainbow
IV. The completed rainbow
I. Clouds Come Into Every Life
The storm clouds of life are not new to mankind but have been here ever since that cloud of sin come upon Adam in the garden. All we need to do is flip through the pages of history and we will see these dark stormy clouds looming over the heads of all men. Everybody has had them. No one is exempt.
Joseph had a few clouds in his life. He had that cloud of a brother's hatred and jealousy that got him sold into slavery and sent into a far, foreign land. Not only that, but he was lied about, accused falsely and thrown into prison for something he didn't do. And while in prison, forgotten and left for dead.
Jeremiah had a few. He offended the king in his preaching of God's word and was thrown into a pit and left for dead. His own country men had turned on him as he cried out for their repentance and salvation. He had over 40 years of ministry without one, single convert. That seems to me like an aufully big cloud.
Daniel had a cloud or two in his life. He was cast into a den of hungry lions, simply for praying as he had always done. I'm sure as night prevailed that cloud seemed to get thicker and thicker.
The Apostle Paul seemed to have quite a few clouds. Yet the greatest was not his thorn in his flesh or being beheaded by the emporer Nero, but rather, being hated by his own people who he longed to see saved.
Each one of us have experienced clouds in our life that seem to drain us of all our hope and joy. One after another blocking the warmth and comfort of God's love. But God would have you know today that when the thicken clouds begin to appear so shall the brightened rainbow span the sky!
II. They Are Allowed For A Reason.
In chapter 4 of the book of The Revelation, the Apostle John is ushered up into heaven. The first thing that cathes his eye is not the Japser stones, the pearly gates, the diamond doorknobs, or streets of gold, but God, seated upon His throne. In the beginning days of what the Bible calls Jacobs trouble, in the midst of chaos and tormial, John focuses in on the most important thing to remember. God is still on His throne. In the midst of these clouds of trials and temptations we can take comfort in knowing that God is still in control of our lives. When we surrender our all to Him we can rest in knowing that He knows what is best. For He builds our lives, not only with goods things, but also with adversity. God often uses the dark things in life to help us concentrate more on the brighter things. C.S. Lewis states that pain is God's way of getting our attention. Paul said that he gloried in his infirmities because he knew that when he was weak, that is when he would be strong. James put it this way: "My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; know this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." God allows the clouds that we might be molded and shaped into the image of Christ. But I'm happy to tell you that:
III. The Same God that Allows the Clouds, Sends the Rainbow.
Joseph saw the rainbow when he was remembered and made 2nd in power over all of Egypt. Jeremiah saw his rainbow when he was rescued from the pit of death and given glorious visions of Christ and things to come. Daniel's rainbow appeared when the cloud of hungering lions became a rainbow of sweet cudly kittens. Paul's rainbow was the mighty move of God among the gentiles and the hopes that one day, all Israel would be saved.
Among the ensigns and emblems of redeeming glory the rainbow holds a special place, for it gives to God's faithful people an argument of confidence, not for time only, but for eternity!
Within this rainbow, we have some precious promises:
A. We have the promise of a safe retreat:
Isaiah 32:2
"And man shall be as an hiding place from the winds and a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
Psalm 91:1
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"
When the storms of life begin to rain down upon us, the rainbow is what enables us to sing: "Rock of Ages, cleft for me; let me hide myself in Thee!"
Not only is there a promise of safe retreat, but also:
B. A promise of peace inknowing that He knows what we are going through.
Exodus 3:7
"I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by
reason of their taskmasters: for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them..."
God knew about every lash and was coming down to deliver them from that aweful cloud of bitter bondage. Others may not know what we are facing and may never understand; but, we can rest assured and find peace in knowing that God knows our every sorrow and hears our every cry!
"For we have not a Hight Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
He knows! He knows! He knows! There is great comfort in knowing that He knows!
C. In this rainbow, we also have the promise of deliverence
To Noah, it was deliverance from the destruction that covered the face of the earth. For us, its deliverence from the shadows and coldness of life's storms to the warmth and love of Jesus' arms.
Psalm 50:15 states:
"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee."
We have the precious promise of deliverence
D. Finally, we have the promise that one day, our sorrows shall come to an end.
Revelation 21:4 says that one day, God is going to wipe away every tear out of the eyes of His children. Today, the clouds may seem as though they have completely engulfed you and God's face is no where to be found, but I'm here to give a message straight from the throne of God..."Hang on My child, Hang on! Joy comes in the Morning!
Just on the other side of that dark and gloomy trial is a beautiful rainbow reflecting the raidiance of the glorious Son of God. To the child of God there's hope in the midst of despair; Joy in the midst of trouble. But my friend, today, if you have not submitted your life to Christ, I feel sorry for you. I'm sad because you have no hope. there is not promise of a rainbow for those who have not received Jesus as their personal Savior. But you don't have to go another minute without Him. You don't have to wonder any longer. He's right here, waiting for you, calling for you to come to Him. No matter where you are or how far you've gone, hope is only one step back! Don't wait another minute! Give your heart to Jesus!
IV. The Completed Rainbow
John in Revelation 4:3 not only saw the Father seated upon His throne, but a beautiful, emerald rainbow encircling the throne! Oh what a wonderful promise! One day in heaven, God's promise of deliverence will be completely fulfilled! One day, Sin will be completely destroyed, never to cause another cloud again! And it won't be because of our own good works. Green is the color of grace! God's deliverence from sin and sorrow is completely by grace! Unmerited favor! It's then in heaven that we will sing with such conviction, "He took my sins away!" Praise God! I can't wait for that day!
