Ever break a promise? It is not simply rearranging the details in an agreement. The damage of broken trust can linger in one’s life for generations. That is what is so remarkable about God’s grace. Even though we humans have often broken covenant with God, God’s grace continues to invite us into covenant over and over again. While the June 24 sermon focused on God’s covenant with Abram and Sarai, there are many other covenants in the Bible. Here are a couple of them.
Prayer
Lord, you invite us into relationship with you. You offer us grace over and over again. Pour your Spirit into me this day that I may be filled with your power and presence. Amen.
Monday – Genesis 9:8-17
This is the story of Noah and the flood. God makes a pledge to never destroy the earth by flood again. What is the sign of that pledge? For whom is that sign a reminder? While God binds the Divine Self to this pledge, what does Noah pledge? What has God pledged to you?
Tuesday – Hebrews 11:8-12
While Abraham and Sarah’s story is found in Genesis, the writer of Hebrews observes that their covenant with God was not based on perfect behavior. What was their covenant based on? Reading Genesis reveals that they were certainly not saints, yet God chose them? Why? Why has God chosen you for witness and service today? On what basis is your relationship with God?
Wednesday – Deuteronomy 5:1-21
Some think the whole book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ last words to the people of Israel. In this passage he repeats the teaching of Exodus 20 – the Ten Commandments. We often think of these Commandments as a list of do’s and don’ts. But notice the preamble to the list. They are based on what covenant? When did God initiate this covenant? What did God do to earn the right to invite Israel into this covenant? (Check out Exodus 20:2). How does your covenant with God shape your behavior?
Thursday – 2 Samuel 7:1-16
King David was embarrassed that he lived in a palace while the Ark of the Lord resided in a tent. He wanted to build a Temple, but God had different plans. What were they? But more important to God was not the design of the temple but the character of God’s relationship with David. What did God promise? How did God plan to deliver on this promise? How did this compare in value to the construction of the Temple? What does this teach us about God’s value on your character?
Friday – Jeremiah 31:31-34
Waiting is so hard. The people were living in exile, far from home in a foreign land as conquered slaves. Yet, Jeremiah makes a promise. What is it? How will this covenant be different from older covenants? While Israel has broken past covenants, what does God promise going forward? If this is the same God as today, what does God offer you?
Saturday – Hebrews 9:11-15
The Messiah – Jesus – has become the new great High Priest. By virtue of his own death on the cross, he has become the substitute for all the animals sacrificed on the altar. And because he had committed no transgressions, he now can intercede on our behalf. He becomes our grace. How will you embrace the grace today?