Listen for His Whisper

By Paula Williamson guest writer

Somewhere Under the Rainbow

Sometimes, I’m a little slow at understanding things. I need to see them to truly grasp them. Those who know me well have learned this about me—more than once they’ve said, “Here, let me draw you a picture.”

We all learn differently, and I’m so grateful we’re not all the same. If we were, the world would lose so much of its wonder. Just look at springtime flowers. Each one is bursting with detail and beauty, crafted by God’s hand—yet only some of us slow down enough to notice. His love is extravagant like that.

A Stormy Drive Home

One afternoon, I was driving home from work under a dreary, overcast sky. A light drizzle began to fall, and the closer I got to home, the heavier the rain became. As I crested a hill, something unexpected happened. The rain stopped instantly. The sun broke through the clouds as if I had crossed into another dimension—and there it was. A stunning rainbow stretched across the sky.

As I drove, my thoughts went straight to Noah and the ark. God placed the rainbow in the sky as a promise—never again would He destroy the earth with water. For months, I had been recording God’s promises from the book of Psalms, and suddenly they all came rushing back to me.

Sometimes I’m completely oblivious to what God is teaching me. Other times, I know without a doubt that He’s trying to show me something. That day, standing between the dreary sky and the brilliant colors, I knew He was painting me a picture.

Right Under the Promise

As I neared the turnoff to my road, it looked as though I was driving straight under the rainbow. I’m thankful no one was nearby—I was practically plastered against the windshield, looking up, then left, then right, whispering to myself like a child:

I think I’m going right under the rainbow… I can’t believe this… I’m right under the rainbow!

My road required a sharp 180-degree turn, and when I looked again, the rainbow was gone. I stopped and wondered, Where did it go? Then I saw it—reflected clearly in my rearview mirror. Out loud, I declared,“I AM UNDER THE RAINBOW!”

God’s Gentle Whisper

The moment the words left my mouth, I sensed God’s gentle whisper in my heart:

Paula, I’ve been trying to teach you this all along. You are under My promises. They cover you. They protect you. They belong to you. They are yours. I sat there in tears, soaking in the truth of it. Every promise God has made is for His children. If you belong to Him, those promises cover your life too. What a precious picture God gave me that day—one I could finally understand.

Known, Loved, and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 139 reminds us just how deeply God knows us:

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me…Even before there is a word on my tongue,Behold, O Lord, You know it all.”

Isn’t that astounding? The God who created the universe knows us—intimately.

Verse 13 says He formed our inward parts and wove us together in our mother’s womb. Verse 16 tells us His eyes saw our unformed substance. The original language even implies His hands were involved. We are not accidents.We are not overlooked.We are lovingly created with purpose and intention.

Worth More Than We Know

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 not to be anxious about our lives—what we will eat, drink, or wear. If God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies with splendor greater than Solomon’s, how much more does He care for us? When I think of His love, it overwhelms me. He knows exactly what each of us needs—even the way we learn and understand. He meets us there.

Nothing Can Separate Us

Paul writes in Romans:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”Neither death nor life… nor height nor depth…shall be able to separate us from the love of Godwhich is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are always—always—under His promise.

A Prayer:

Father God,Your people perish for lack of knowledge. Forgive us for neglecting Your Word, so rich with truth and life. Stir our hearts to seek You and Your promises. Open blind eyes and deaf ears. Pour out Your Spirit upon this earth, that we might taste and see how good You are. Help us see You for who You truly are. Amen.

Devotional Takeaway: 

When circumstances feel gray and heavy, remember: the rainbow doesn’t erase the storm—it stands over it. God’s promises do not deny hardship; they declare His faithfulness in the middle of it.

This blog was taken from my book, Listen for His Whisper, a free download.