While driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, I could see an ominous black cloud ahead. Scatter mist and a buffeting crosswind caused me to slow and I am so glad it did. If not, I might have missed one of the most beautiful sights ever logged into my memory.
As I exited I-85 near Roanoke, I saw a rainbow stretching from the dark, dangerous storm clouds in the valley to the bright blue skies over a nearby mountain. I remembered God’s word to Noah in Genesis 9:13: “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between the earth and Me.” As I moved down into the valley, I realized that the rainbow was brightest where the clouds were darkest.
God is always with His children; but in the darkness of valleys, when the storms of life assail us, that is when His Presence can be most evident. His words to the apostle Paul during a storm were noticeably clear: “My grace is sufficient for you…for My power is made perfect in your weakness.” That is 2 Corinthians 12:10.
Sitting at a traffic light between Roanoke and Vinton, I had a worship experience. I thanked God for reminding me that though He is always with Me, the valleys and storms of life are where He shines the brightest. He did for Noah and Paul and He will do it for you.
Our world is beset with wars and conflicts, crime and cultural upheavals, political power grabs and divisive rhetoric. The future seems filled with dark storms of despair. Just remember Who is in control! God is not surprised. He is the Sovereign Ruler of our world, and He will bring His plan to fruition. When the valleys in your life are deep and dark, when the storms in your life roar against you, always remember. That is where God shines the brightest. Keep trusting and obeying!
