When the World Council of Churches met in Vancouver in 1998, one of their services focused on “Celebrating the Promise.” Their prayer was as follows:
“In the midst of hunger and war, we celebrate the promise of plenty and peace.
“In the midst of oppression and tyranny, we celebrate the promise of service and freedom.
“In the midst of doubt and despair, we celebrate the promise of faith and hope.
“In the midst of fear and betrayal, we celebrate the promise of joy and loyalty.
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“In the midst of hatred and death, we celebrate the promise of love and life.
“In the midst of sin and decay, we celebrate the promise of salvation and renewal.
“In the midst of death on every side, we celebrate the promise of the living Christ.”
The forces of chaos and evil continue to surround us, and tempt us, and force themselves on us. Many times we are tempted. Many times we feel there is nothing we can do but surrender to these forces.
Then, paradoxically, we remember we are “The Children of The Promise”. We live under “The Rainbow” of God’s love. God is there to guide and direct us, and show us how to live faithfully and joyfully. We give thanks for these gifts.
Following the story of Noah and The Flood in the Book of Genesis, Noah and his family and all the creatures saw a rainbow in the heavens. Scripture writers tell us “The rainbow is the sign of the covenant between Me (God) and all living beings on earth.”
Although part of the story indicates God appeared to be angry with the chaos on the earth, the on-going truth of the story, according to the sages of old, shows how the people understood God to be a gracious, merciful and caring Creator. So be it to this day.
