Do you remember the first time someone broke a promise to you? For most of us, I imagine, that occurred in our childhood. Remember what a shocking experience it was? A quote I uncovered from an unknown author stands unchallenged in the affairs of men: "The vast majority of man’s problems arise because individuals fail to keep their promises."

The history of the Christian faith is a history of promises broken. The term covenant in our Scriptures means a solemn promise made binding by an oath which may be a verbal or symbolic action. Covenants, or promises, in the days of Moses and Jesus, as well as today, help preserve peace within groups of people.

Remember the covenant or promise between God and Noah? One of my earliest and most beautiful recollections is of my mother pointing to a rainbow …