Friday February 3, 2023

Today is Friday, February 3 and we are studying what the Bible says about covenant.

Jesus, I am yours. As I approach the newness of a dawning day, I sit quietly in the joy of your presence and relish the comfort of your abiding love. Open the scriptures to me, speak into my life and teach me about covenant.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty. Amen. (The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, part 1)

I praise God for his faithfulness down through the generations with the words of Psalm 132.

The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.” Psalm 132:11-12

Pause and Pray

Continuing our study of the concept of covenant in the Bible, we come to God’s covenant with David. David was the most significant king of Israel and the standard by which all other kings were measured. King David is awarded an eternal dynasty due to his outstanding faithfulness to God and despite his obvious human failings. God’s promise of a kingdom lasting forever reaches far beyond David and his offspring and even Israel itself. God established the Davidic Covenant promising that one of David’s descendants would be on the throne forever.

The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:11-16

God made multiple covenants with his people because of his great love for them. After the Fall of humanity through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, God provided a series of covenants intended to restore humanity to a right relationship with him. These covenants were made with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. God promised David that one of his descendants would be on the throne forever. A never-ending reign. God kept the royal line alive until he sent his own Son Jesus as David’s true son. Jesus is a descendant of David and the Messiah of God. Jesus, the son of David, a crucified and risen king rules forever in heaven at God’s right hand.

Ask: How do I understand my connection to the major covenants God made with his people in the Bible? How do I see God’s promises continuing from the past into the future?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, open the scriptures to me and declare the truth of your promises for all generations. Help me to know Jesus as your Son whose kingdom will endure forever and whose throne is established for eternity. I see how your promises are trustworthy and your words are true. Teach me the truth of covenants and show me my role in fulfilling them. I read the words from 2 Samuel again and listen for the message you have for me.

The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:11-16

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God’s covenant is for me. I am a part of God’s ancient covenant established as a great rescue plan for all of humanity including my sorry soul. God’s covenant promise profoundly impacts my life for all eternity. Whatever word or phrase that stands out to me today, I pay attention to what God might be saying to me. What might the Holy Spirit be revealing? I record the word in my journal or treasure the emotion in my heart carrying it throughout my day.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Lord. Show me the truth of scripture and the fulfillment of your covenant promises through your Son Jesus Christ. Help me understand the concept of covenant from ancient times and apply it to my life today. Enable me to see that your ways never change and your promises always last. Help me find myself in your promises remembering that I too am a son/daughter of Abraham and your beloved child. Amen.

Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever. 2 Samuel 7:28-29

I leave this time of prayer knowing I am a part of a covenant people. I go to serve God faithfully in all that I do and say.

Amen