Covenant

Covenant
By Heather Collver

God made a promise to Abraham that he would make Abraham's descendants a great nation that would become God's Chosen People.

Isaac's birthright was an important part of his life. The blessings that God gave to Abraham were also given to his descendants. To inherit this covenant with God was more valuable than inheriting property or material goods.

Are there any material goods or property in your life that you find more valuable than your relationship with God? How about your marriage covenant if you are married? Is it true that we sometimes find it easier to value things that are tangible over things unseen? How often do you look for God's tangible presence in your life?

Isaac's life gave evidence of God's favor. His circumcision was a sign of the covenant with God. God's favor toward him was also evident in Ishmael's disinheritance. The dismissal of the sons of Abraham's concubines to the "country of the east" is associated with the statement that Isaac inherited all that Abraham had, including God's blessing. Isaac was in a unique position historically because he would carry on the covenant.

Are there areas in our lives that God is trusting us to be faithful in? Have we made promises that we don't keep? What can we do today to increase our faithfulness to God?

As a Christian, I believe that I entered into a Covenant with my Lord when I accepted Him as my King and acknowledged the sacrifice he took for my sins. He doesn't want anything from me other than my heart. I don't owe him anything. Because he was the ultimate sacrifice for my sins, I am drawn to want to be in a relationship with him. When I do things that I know are not right, I feel conviction, not condemnation, therefore I naturally want him to forgive me when I do wrong. My other relationships are similar. I have entered into a covenant with my husband, to be faithful to him and to be his helper. In a way he has offered his life as a sacrifice to be faithful to me for the rest of his life. When I have wronged him, I naturally want him to forgive me.

What are your feelings towards your relationship with God? Your spouse? Your friends? Your children?

Dear Lord,
Help us to be mindful of our words. When we enter into agreements, help us to keep our word. Lord, I know that Satan works in many ways. He especially likes to break the sacred covenant of marriage because it causes guilt, condemnation, and separation from other relationships and God. Please help us to cultivate and nourish our relationships. To be willing to make our wrongs right and continue to evaluate our lives so that we can be the best we can be.

Please continue to pray for Shawna L. this week.