God's Covenants (Psalm 103:17-18)

Today's scripture: Psalm 103:17-18

Our God is a covenant God. This may not seem like much, but that’s only if you don’t really understand covenant. Covenant by definition "is of Latin origin (con venire), meaning a coming together. It presupposes two or more parties who come together to make a contract, agreeing on promises, stipulations, privileges, and responsibilities ... [While covenants between man are bilateral], God initiated, determined the elements, and confirmed his covenant with humanity. It is unilateral. Persons are recipients, not contributors; they are not expected to offer elements to the bond; they are called to accept it as offered, to keep it as demanded, and to receive the results that God, by oath, assures will not be withheld" (www.biblestudytools.com, emphasis mine).

So why is this important for us as believers? Because God, the God of the universe, initiates covenant. He chooses to be in relationship with us. He chooses to commit to us whether or not commit to Him. That is so significant.

God made covenant with Abraham, Noah, Moses … and with us. Covenant from the Old Testament was a promise of salvation and redemption. Abraham would be the father of an entire people—the chosen people of God. Noah and his family were the only people saved when God covered the earth with a flood. God "cut covenant" with Noah and promised to never destroy the world in the same way. Moses led God’s chosen people to the land promised to them.

We, however, are blessed with an even greater covenant: We are redeemed through the shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood. God “cut covenant” with us through that blood, and we are saved. We are in relationship with Him.

It’s not about us and what we can do. It’s about Him and what He has already done.

The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)

Today's scriptures: John 2:1-11

Jesus began His earthly ministry at a wedding. Interesting. He could have begun with healing a lame man or feeding the 5000. Those would have had more "bang for the buck."

Instead, He quietly turned water into wine. At a wedding. Interesting.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why He chose this venue to perform His first miracle? Why a wedding?

I don't know for sure; I think it may have to do with how God views marriage. I'm not going to get all political, but marriage has become quite a controversy lately. The world's view of marriage is very different than God's. Instead of the "leave and cleave 'til death us do part," the majority seem to view marriage as "until something better comes along."

Unfortunately, that opinion seems to have infiltrated the church as well. The Bible gives only two explicit "reasons" for the dissolution of marriage: infidelity (Matthew 19:8-9) and if an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave a believer (1 Corinthians 7:15). I believe a third "unspoken" reason (although some may disagree) is if there is abuse and the perpetrator refuses to be rehabilitated. I believe this because husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25, 28), and wives are to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33, CEV). Love and respect do not equate with abuse.

These are the only biblical reasons, yet how many marriages are being dissolved because of that all-encompassing "irreconcilable differences"? Within and without of the church?

Beyond the covenant of earthly marriage, though, is how we who follow Christ are described as Jesus' "bride," and one day, there will be a "marriage supper" (Revelation 19:7-8).

Marriage is—or should be—a covenant made between a man and a woman and their God. It is—or should be—sacred and protected. It is a gift from God, not to be taken lightly.

Maybe that's why Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding.

Our Covenant God (Ps. 103:17-18)

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
(Psalm 103:17-18, NKJV)

Our God is a covenant God. This may not seem like much, but that’s only if you don’t really understand covenant. Covenant by definition comes “From the Hebrew berith, it is translated ‘will,’ ‘covenant,’ and ‘testament,’ and comes from the word translated ‘to cut’” (www.believersweb.org). Further definition includes: “A covenant in the strict biblical sense is not a joint obligation but rather a commitment one makes to another. A covenant is a relationship wherein the party making the covenant binds himself to fulfill certain conditions” (www.believersweb.org).

So why is this important for us as believers? Because God, the God of the universe, chose to be in relationship with us. He chose to commit to us whether or not commit to Him. That is so significant.

God made covenant with Abraham, Noah, Moses … and with us. Covenant from the Old Testament was a promise of salvation and redemption. Abraham would be the father of an entire people—the chosen people of God. Noah and his family were the only people saved when God covered the earth with a flood. And God covenanted with Noah to never destroy the world in the same way. Moses led God’s chosen people to the land promised to them.

We, however, are blessed with an even greater covenant: We are redeemed through the shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood. God “cut covenant” with us through that blood, and we are saved. We are in relationship with Him.

It’s not about us and what we can do. It’s about Him and what He has already done.

God's Redemption (Ps. 111:9)

He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.
(Psalm 111:9, NKJV)

I’m refining a talk for a retreat I’m speaking at in May, and one of the sections is on our being redeemed. What an amazing blessing it is to know we’re “free from the consequences of sin” (Webster’s Dictionary)!

Even though Adam and Eve chose to follow their own path and thus sin entered the world, God loved His children so much, He “sent redemption” to us. He established a covenant with the people of Israel , and atonement came through annual sacrifice. Why was this sacrifice required? God is holy, and without His providing a plan of redemption, we would be forever separated from Him. But He loves us too much for that.

So throughout the Old Testament, atonement was for God’s chosen people. Oh, but then the New Covenant! In just a couple of weeks, we’re going to celebrate the culmination of God’s plan for the redemption of all mankind: the death, burial, and resurrection of God the Son, Jesus Christ.

That’s how much God loves us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And anyone who “calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

What an amazing, awesome God we serve.

Praise Him today … and every day.