The Light In The Rainbow
“I will surely require accounting for your life’s blood. At the hand of every animal I will require it…Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it…I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9: 5-7,11-13
Life is not all rainbows and lollipops. The patterns of our lives can become routine and stagnant. God’s plan is for each person to live intentionally, work diligently with purpose, and hold fast to God’s promises. The tension comes between our experiences and God’s intentions for us. Am I living with expectancy knowing that I will have to give an account for how I stewarded the gifts God gave me? Do I believe in the promises of God that I can see when I look at the world around me seeing the light breaking through the darkness?
I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works…I will be glad and rejoice in you…I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Yahweh reigns forever…He will judge the world in righteousness…Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.
David teaches us a pattern of living that can help with break through. He begins with praising God with his whole heart. He praises the majesty and might of God. How often do we give thanks with a partial heart and immediately infuse what we want God to do into how we pray or praise? David says praise fully, give thanks continually, and know God is worthy.
“Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning. The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.” Proverbs 9: 9-11
The process of drawing closer to God and discovering who we are never ends. God always has more for us. More wisdom, more revelation, more healing, more insight, more knowledge, more grace, more love. He has more. Understanding that life is more about growing and learning than getting it all right helps us as we pursue the life of faith.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever.” Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Life can feel dark at times. Today could be one of those times. This word of God was written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus but points directly to Him. In the darkest nights there is a savior that can bring light and hope to your life. Jesus came to counsel you in hardship, display the might of God, be close as a parent, bring peace that surpasses understanding, and establish the kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Where do you need His strength today? Where do you need Jesus? Call on Him and He will answer.
“Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed[c] and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9: 35-39
Jesus establishes new patterns for his people. He refuses to stay in one place being comfortable with where He is. He goes out looking for ways to impact the world. He gathers in faith communities and in the marketplace preaching the Good News and then demonstrating the authority He has. Then He changes the way his followers think. Jesus did not just came to save, but He came bring transformation so that his followers would do what He does.
He is calling out people to labor and participate in the harvest. What is your role as laborer? How has the light of Christ changed your life and what are the promises that He has for you to help equip you to do His will? Jesus never says that laboring is optional, just that few will respond to the call.