Come Rain or Shine

 

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"The greatest glory in living lies in not never falling,

 but in rising every time we fall." ~Nelson Mandela

🐕 It's raining cats and dogs outside my window right now.  Where did that phrase come from anyway?  I mean, I would be okay if it rained cats, but dogs? That's just mean.  Unless upon landing their paws turned into marshmallows.  Cats would just go on with their barren lives upon landing.  

🐈 Is that too vicious? Anyway...

🐕 Rain turns me into a 'grab a throw and another cup of coffee' kind of person.  Somewhere along the lines I made a decision to respond in that way, and I'm glad.  I don't want rain to make me grouchy.  Yes, it can damper some outdoor plans, but where I live as long as it's raining there won't be fire danger.  

These past several weeks a lot of spiritual 'rain' fell across our world.  It was dark, storms raged between people, and suffering and sadness loomed.  Lives and families torn apart.  But then, out of such savage violence that caused endless loss and pain for many, God sent rainbows as promises of hope.

🐕 People rose up to comfort each other.  Communities gathered around to console each other.  Churches were busting at the seams.  Those hurt chose forgiveness over vengeance.  Evil was exposed.  People turned to prayer to ask why and what do we do next?  The rain comes and then it shines.  (Literally there was a double rainbow over Evergreen.)  

We are His children that need direction and guidance.  We need wisdom to know how to think and act amidst such evil.  And God always answers His children in His time; some answers we see and understand, some we won't know until heaven.  

Here's answers we know from His Word that He will do-

🐕 He will turn it to good for the believer:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good."  Gen 50:20

🐕 He wants us to hate evil and respond in sincere love:

"Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."  Rom 12:9

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom 12:21 

🐕 He wants us to be bold in our living, because He has given us His Spirit:

"But you belong to God my dear children.  You have already won a victory over those 

people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives

in the world." 1 John 4:4

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love

and self-discipline." 2 Tim 1:7

🐕 And He wants us to let Him be judge:

"For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; He will save us."

Isaiah 33:22

We certainly don't understand the why, except that this world is broken, separated from God, and used by Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy lives.  But we can rest securely and wholly in Jesus, who promises to give us all that we need as our Shepherd (Ps 23:1) and a rich and satisfying life in Him (John 10:10).

🐕 We can respond by burying ourselves in His Word to grow closer to Him.  We can ask Him for wisdom in our responses, and self-control in our attitudes.  We can pray for the people who cause the harm.  It was dark and cloudy the day Jesus died on the cross.  But then the sun rose again the day He was resurrected. 

Because God changes lives.  Come rain or shine.

✙ Oh Heavenly Father, we are having a hard time down here.  There is excruciating pain and we need You.  We are lost and broken people needing our perfect Heavenly Father to comfort us, guide us and help us know how to respond in ways that are honoring to You. Deepen our faith and make us bold for You to a hurting world.  Put Your loving arms around the families of all who have been affected by violence and sin.  Thank You for the assurance that this world is not all there is, but our heavenly home awaits us.  Amen.