The Promise

The text for this post is a repost from a few years ago, originally posted on unheardsongs.com and here on FB. I think it's still quite appropriate for today. The image is brand new for the Deviant Art daily challenge for today, which is "rainbow". Click the link below to see the post on Deviant Art.

We had barely stepped into the new millennium when our first child was born. Just a year earlier, I stood, jaw dropped, in my living room as I watched New York crumble into the ground. I remember thinking, "Who would want to bring a child into this world when things like this can happen." Nevertheless, In August of 2002, Noah was born.

After being at the hospital for what seemed like forever, I decided to drive home to catch a shower and get into some new clothes. On the way home, the strangest thing happened. As I neared home, I glanced up at the sky. There, in all its glory, was a rainbow. It was as if God was nudging me in my side with his elbow, saying, "See what I did there?" I did see what he was doing there, and it made me smile.

We were living in Odessa, Texas at the time. The max temperature for the day was 105°, with about 30% humidity and zero precipitation reported. I looked it up. I know what you're thinking. "Pictures or it didn't happen." See attached photo. It's a shame that photos of rainbows are rarely as vibrant as they are in real life. This one was a beaut.

I've always thought rainbows were awesome. For thousands of years, Jews and Christians have seen the rainbow as a sign of new beginnings and of hope. It's literally the reason we chose the name Noah for our first born, as we recognized that we were entering a new chapter in our lives.

The symbolism of a rainbow is hard to miss. You tend to see one after a storm. God made a promise after the flood to mankind and referred to the rainbow as a reminder of that promise. I saw the rainbow mentioned above after the towers fell and wondered if children should be brought into such a cruel world. God made a promise. My experience is that he keeps his promises.

We live in a country, perhaps even a world, which is divided. Harshly divided. I hear speak of a peaceful divorce. Some say we are headed to civil war. Some say we are already in a civil war. Whatever the case, whatever happens, whoever is in governmental power, God will be there on the other side of it. He will display his promise colorfully in the clouds, rib us in the side with his elbow and ask, "did you see what I did there?" When he does, look, listen, and pay attention because God has put hope on full display for all to see. Take it.

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

Genesis 9:12-17