We continued our Bible studies on the Psalms of Lament tonight, looking at two psalms written by individuals (Ps 69 and Ps 77). Ps 69 could be said to be a Messianic or prophetic psalm, looking ahead to the Suffering Saviour prophesied by Isaiah (Is 52-53), and is referred to nine times in the New Testament (John 15:25, John 2:17, Romans 15:3, Matthew 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:28, 29, Rom 11:9-10, Acts 1:20). It gives us insight into suffering and complaint, with the image of drowning in mire showing us how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by sorrow and injustice.

Both psalms list complaints frankly and without reserve (e.g. Ps 69:1-3, Ps 77:1-3) and may even reflect the imprecatory cursing we discussed last time (Ps 69:22-28), but there is always a pivot point, a tipping point, a hinge which keeps the psalm from wallowing in self-pity and looks ahead to the hope God brings.

In Ps 69:13 the change is heralded by the word ‘but’, as the psalmist contemplates God’s love, sure salvation and ability to deliver. In Ps 77, the change comes when the psalmist’s thinking is refocussed onto God’s mighty deeds and miraculous works. (Ps 77:10-15). The key to renewed hope is to have our minds fixed on what God has previously done for His people. Such thoughts will provide us with ‘songs in the night’ (Ps 77:6), which in turn will sustain through the difficult times of lament and lead us ‘through the mighty waters’, even when God’s footprints cannot be seen (Ps 77:19). Lament does not have to end with lament, but can be the painful pathway to praise. As Matt Redman reminds us, ‘if the highest praise is a sacrifice/ and the greatest song is to give my life/ Then I will not bring You that which cost me nothing.’ (‘Place of Praise’)

A family service wouldn’t be complete without some activities vaguely connected (!) to the theme of the service. Tonight’s connection was colour (rainbows are multi-coloured, after all!)

First of all, people had to move Skittles from one end of a table to the other using coloured straws:

The children had their own version:

Secondly, people played a game of ‘Bring Me…’ where different coloured items had to be brought to the front (an orange cup, a red bell, a green coat and so on…)

There were, as usual, prizes to be won!

The story of Noah and the 7 colours of the rainbow give us 7 things we need to remember.

1. Remember Noah’s obedience. Noah did what God told him to – even though it must have seemed bizarre, to say the least! God is looking for people who will do what He says.
2. Remember to live in readiness, as children of the light, for Jesus is coming back soon. 1 Thess 5:1-11 urges us to live in anticipation and expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. We need to be prepared!
3. Remember God’s provision. God provided for Noah and his family in the ark and He will provide for us too. (Matt 6:25-34)
4. Remember God’s protection. Even though the flood was a time of judgment and trial for the world, Noah and his family were kept safe. God knows those who belong to Him (2 Tim 2:19) and is able to keep us safe (see Ps 91).
5. Remember God’s faithfulness. Even though the flood lasted a long time, God’s faithfulness in giving Noah a fresh start is an encouragement to us. God’s faithfulness is great (Lam 3:23, 2 Thess 3:3).
6. Remember God’s mercy. We don’t deserve salvation or rescue, but God offers us so much because of His mercy. He is rich in mercy and offers us new life in Him. (Eph 2:4-9)
7. Remember the need for perseverance. Rome, they say, wasn’t built in a day, and certainly the ark wasn’t built overnight! Noah had to learn to persevere: so do we. (Gal 6:9, 1 Cor 13:7, 1 Tim 4:16)

Artwork done by the Sunday School children

A rainbow can be explained as occurring when sunlight and rain combine in a special way, resulting in us being able to see all the colours of the light spectrum. Scientists tell us it’s caused by the refraction, reflection and dispersion of water droplets resulting in an arc of colour appearing in the sky. The colours always appear in a certain order – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet – which people tend to remember through the mnemonic ‘Richard of York Gave Battle In Vain’ or the acronym ‘ROYGBIV’. There are different kinds of rainbows: secondary rainbows are caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and are centred on the sun itself and so a double rainbow consists of two separate and concentric rainbow arcs whereas the very rare twinned rainbow appears as two rainbow arcs that split from a single base. Technically a rainbow is actually a full circle, but from the ground, only its upper half can be seen, so we tend to think of rainbows as being semi-circular.

Alan spoke about how rainbows are perceived in different cultures (in Hindu mythology, the rainbow is portrayed as an archer’s bow; in Norse mythology a burning rainbow bridge called the Bifrost connects Midgard (earth) with Asgard, home of the gods, for example.) Nowadays, the rainbow is the symbol of Gay Pride and is also the youngest section for girl guides! For those of us of a certain age, the word ‘Rainbow’ also conjures up images of a children’s TV programme featuring George, Zippy and Bungle!

For Christians, the rainbow is important for giving us further insight into God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. It reminds us that we have hope and can trust in God.

Tonight’s family service looked at the story of Noah and had as the theme ‘rainbow of remembrance.’ November is traditionally a month of remembrance: Bonfire Night, when all over the country we remember the Catholic plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament led by Guy Fawkes: ‘remember, remember the fifth of November: gunpowder, treason and plot.’ Next week is Remembrance Sunday, when we remember the end of the 1^st World War on 11^th November 1918. 1^st November is known as All Saints’ Day and is an opportunity for believers to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history. In some churches, 2^nd November is known as All Souls’ Day when all those who have died as Christians are remembered. Remembering is clearly a November trait!

The story of Noah (Gen 6-9) is well known: how mankind’s sinfulness angered and wounded God and led to His plan to destroy all He had made through a universal flood, sparing Noah and his family because of Noah’s blameless walk with Him. It’s a story of obedience (Gen 6:22, Gen 7:5) and perseverance, of God’s protection and provision, and teaches us about God’s justice, love, mercy and faithfulness. The rainbow is the sign of the covenant God made with Noah and the earth when He promised never to flood the earth again (Gen 8:21-22, Gen 9:13-16).

Jesus reminded us that Noah’s story needs to be remembered (Matt 24:38-39) and that we need also to live in readiness because the Son of Man is coming again! 2 Pet 3:3-7 reminds us that whilst people may scoff at this idea – just as the people scoffed at Noah for building an ark in preparation of the flood – we need to be prepared for His return. Are we living in readiness? Are we remembering the right things?

Today is Bonfire Night in the UK, and Dave chose this morning to speak on Exodus 3:1-6 on another kind of bonfire – the burning bush which God used to call Moses. This was a fire like no other since the bush kept on burning without burning up. Why would God choose such an unusual sign?

Moses had been working in a dead-end job for many years and seemed to be going nowhere; his earlier promise as a leader seems to have faded and he was probably bored and apathetic by this time, forever condemned to obscurity by his rash act of murder many years previously. God used an unusual sign to get his attention. At first, it was probably only curiosity which prompted Moses to go to the bush, but then God spoke to him from the bush, calling him to his life work: to lead the people out of Egypt. God would liberate His people in His way; Moses would not be in control.

God did not have to rescue Israel, but because of His faithfulness and love, He chose to respond to their cries for help. (Ex 3:7-8) We can never ‘earn’ salvation, no matter how good we are, but God’s mercy and love are His motivation (see Titus 3:5). We can rely on God’s faithfulness and promises (see Num 23:19, 2 Cor 1:20). Our salvation depends on God’s faithful promises, not on how we feel.

God was about to do great things for Israel, but the purpose behind His freeing them was to make them holy. Moses finds that this burning bush has become holy ground. Similarly, God desires to make us holy (see 1 Pet 1:16) – set apart for God, able to shine for God because His Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. Heb 12:29 reminds us that our God is a consuming fire. That fire is in us, to consume all that is not of God and to light us up so others can see God’s light.