Encircled by a Rainbow

[Daily Devotional]

Encircled by a Rainbow 

Behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne . . . and
there was a rainbow round about the throne. Rev. 4: 2, 3. 

The rainbow of promise encircling the throne on high is an everlasting
testimony that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life" (John 3: 16). It testifies to the universe that God will never forsake
His people in their struggle with evil. It is an assurance to us of strength
and protection as long as the throne itself shall endure. 

As the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the
shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the combined power
of mercy and justice. It is not justice alone that is to be maintained; for
this would eclipse the glory of the rainbow of promise above the throne; man
could see only the penalty of the law. Were there no justice, no penalty,
there would be no stability to the government of God. 

It is the mingling of judgment and mercy that makes salvation full and
complete. It is the blending of the two that leads us, as we view the
world's Redeemer and the law of Jehovah, to exclaim, "Thy gentleness hath
made me great" (2 Sam. 22: 36). We know that the gospel is a perfect and
complete system, revealing the immutability of the law of God. . . . Mercy
invites us to enter through the gates into the city of God, and justice is
sacrificed to accord to every obedient soul full privileges as a member of
the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. 

By faith let us look upon the rainbow round about the throne, the cloud of
sins confessed behind it. The rainbow of promise is an assurance to every
humble, contrite, believing soul, that his life is one with Christ, and that
Christ is one with God. The wrath of God will not fall upon one soul that
seeks refuge in Him. God Himself has declared, "When I see the blood, I will
pass over you." "The bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it,
that I may remember the everlasting covenant" (Ex. 12: 13; Gen. 9: 16). 

>From God's Amazing Grace - Page 69