Wednesday: Ever Mindful of His Covenant
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 17th of January 2024
The theme of God’s judgment prompts a significant question: How can God’s people have peace with God and assurance of salvation at the time of judgment? Read Psalms 94:14, Psalms 105:7-10, Daniel 7:22.
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
God’s people are secure because the Lord placed His dwelling place in Zion (Psalms 76:1-2) and established His everlasting covenant with them as His treasured possession (Psalms 94:14, Psalms 105:8-10). God does not simply promise not to reject His covenantal people—He actively works to keep them secure in Him. He forgives their sins (Psalms 103:3); He instructs, blesses, and strengthens His people (Psalms 25:8-11, Psalms 29:11, Psalms 105:24). God’s judgments are given to turn the people to righteousness and to demonstrate that God cares for them (Psalms 94:8-15).
Psalms 105:1-45 as a whole shows the Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant in Israel’s history. In everything that happened, the good and the bad, God was there. He providentially led Joseph to Egypt and through him saved His people and the nations in that area during the severe famine (Psalms 105:16-24). The Lord raised Moses to lead His people out of Egyptian slavery, which he did with signs and wonders on their behalf (Psalms 105:25-38).
The Lord granted His people the Promised Land (Psalms 105:11,44) and His continual protection (Psalms 105:12-15). He multiplied them (Psalms 105:24), freed them from their overlords (Psalms 105:37-38), and provided for their daily needs (Psalms 105:39-41). The Lord is undoubtedly in sovereign control of all that involves His people—a truth that the psalmists wanted His people never to forget.
When God remembers His covenant, it involves more than cognizance or memory because it always leads to action (Genesis 8:1, 1 Samuel 1:19, Psalms 98:3, Psalms 105:42-44). Likewise, when the people are called to remember God’s wonders and judgments, it means that the people should live in ways that honor God.
In this covenant, Israel’s primary calling is to remain faithful to the covenant by observing God’s laws (Psalms 78:5-7, Psalms 105:45). God’s people also are called to bear witness about God to other nations because the Lord wishes all nations to join His people Israel (Psalms 105:1-2). The world is thus secure in the protective covenant of the almighty and merciful God (Psalms 89:28-34).
What do we have in Jesus, which shows why these promises made to ancient Israel can now apply to us? (See Galatians 3:26-29.)
(12)
I had a colleague who had a couple of tear-away kids. They were a real handful to bring up and had a surplus of ideas on how to get up to mischief. I found the pair of them one day playing catch with their father's calculator. They were pretty good at catching the calculator but I was also sure that they had not asked their father's permission to play with it. So, I told them to stop it and put it back where it belonged.
They responded that it was ok because their dad was Doctor Fix-it and he could fix anything. He was pretty good at fixing things but you and I both know that a calculator landing on a concrete surface with some speed typically requires replacement rather than repair.
In a small way that illustrates the problem we have with covenants. God had promised to be Doctor Fix-it but he cannot cover presumption or rebellion. Those are our decisions and we ultimately have to take responsibility for our choices.
Many years ago I read James Michener's book, The Covenant which is a historical novel, the thickness of a telephone directory about the history of South Africa. A major theme of the book is the relationship between the South African Dutch Reform Church and apartheid. The name of the book refers to the notion that the church thought that God had a covenant with them that justified their apartheid action. They used many of the same covenant passages found in our lesson today.
I read this book at a time when the Seventh-day Adventist Church was going through a fairly turbulent period and this book made me think quite seriously about our relationship with God (call it covenant if you like) and I asked myself why two groups of Christians could both claim a covenant relationship with God and yet one group was so clearly wrong and "we were so right"? Those last four words challenged me. And in the context of the theological turbulence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the time, I asked myself how much presumption was involved in my thinking about my relationship with God.
Discussion on biblical covenants must also include some deep searching in our own minds about our relationship with God. God's faithfulness is a given but is our response presumption, rebellion, or active participation?
How can we have peace in our hearts about God's times of judgment?
(1) Setting - Our Father God presides over the heavenly courtroom and He loves us (Jn. 16:27). Jesus fills the role of our attorney (1 John 2:1), witness (Rev. 3:14), best friend (Jn. 15:15)...oh and most importantly, Judge (2 Tim. 4:1; Jn. 5:22-23). The only accuser is Satan (Rev. 12:10). The onlooking holy angels are all for us (Heb. 1:14; Ps. 91:11).
(2) Purpose - We can help to display God's character before the waiting world and all the watching universes on our Judgment Day (1 Cor. 4:9). God's question arises, "Could I have anything more to save __(name)_____ ?" Everyone will see that God the Father sent Jesus who would have died only for me if necessary (Luke 15:4), that He sent the Holy Spirit to pursue my heart to convict me of sin, that He revealed Himself to me in circumstances of my life - always showing me grace and mercy, that He led me to the Word of God, that He told of God's love to me there.
(3) Case Closed - When the books are opened upon the details of my life (Dan. 7:10), it will be a record of God's forgiveness of my sin. It will be proof that God's power enables His followers to live changed lives. In Christ Jesus I am helped to walk according to His Spirit and there is no condemnation on me (Rom. 8:1,3-4).
(4) Eternal Results - We will no longer live in a situation where truth and lies are mingled (Matt. 13:30,41). God promises rewards (Rev. 22:12)....just being face-to-face with Him is my reward (1 Cor. 13:12). Also, we will have new roles of helping to judge in the 2nd judgment during the 1,000 years (1 Cor. 6:2,3; Rev. 20:4)...more will become clear. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan and his demons will finally be gone (Rev. 20:9,10). There will be a new heaven and new earth (Is. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13) and no more pain or loss or crying (Rev. 21:4).
Dear Esther, thank you so much for that. l would like to include the above in my Bible study on the judgement. l just love the clarity that the HOLY SPIRIT has blessed you with in dividing the word of truth. May you indeed increase and abound in every good work.
Many thanks Esther for your beautifully written clear insight. I would love to include that in my Bible study 0n the judgement.
Thank you so much Esther for this. I will also include this in my Bible study on judgement.
Esther, I am a day late, but thank you for your inspiring comments in paragraph 2. Everyone's testimony begins the same. We don't find God. He lovingly seeks and saves His lost sheep, some of which are not of the same fold! The Holy Spirit speaks lovingly to our heart. We are convicted of our sins. Some of our sins are so unspeakable that we don't want to share them with anyone, but He has known all the time and convicts us often. Then we realize His great love, that He sent His only begotten Son to this earth to save me, one of the lost sinners. I realize that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When I think of His love, I yearn to know more about Him and start to learn of Him in His Word. Somewhere in this process the angels in Heaven are rejoicing! Now comes the challenge. Do I tell give my testimony to others or just go on as if it's a secret between me and my Savior, Jesus Christ?
It is so great to serve a God who is faithful. Deuteronomy 7:9 ‘ Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is Lord, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.’ We serve a God who perfectly keeps His promises. Joshua 21:45 NIV ‘There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel, all came to pass.’
We serve an everlasting God who is mindful of His covenant. Psalms 103:17-18- ‘But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children. To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.
I Never Needed Idols.
I never needed an idol made of gold, silver or bronze.
I never needed to purchase a figurine, take it home and set it on some exalted place.
I never needed to bow down to it and repeat learned phrases and invocations.
Why?
Because the idol of God was in my head.
Based on misconceptions I forged while young in a tent meeting.
Based on failed attempts at self saving.
Based on lies I told myself: about God.
Based on everything but His word.
I never needed an idol because my opinion already was larger than Nebuchadnezzar's.
I never needed an idol because I could control my thoughts about God; or could I?
This idol in my head, did I construct it or was it a joint effort?
Did I miss hear? Did I not understand your prophets?
Was I listening to your word with an open heart?
Or did my preconceived notion of who You are warp anything else that tried to destroy it?
Lord, Let me see YOU, Help me SEE YOU
Help me to LOVE Your ways, share your ways.
God IS Love.
His Word Says so, so it IS so.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. They reflect what a lot of people feel but do not know how to express.
Thank you all for the beautiful insights,be blessed .Indeed God is ever keeping His promises,we are witnesses of His actions.
Dragoslava Santrac, the author of this quarter’s lesson, brings the Psalms and her own words into an easy to read and understand symbiosis – a mutually beneficial relationship between different 'parts'. I very much enjoy her writings and appreciate her insightfulness!
With the first and last sentences in her final paragraph she wraps everything up nicely! Yes, the whole world can now accept our most merciful Creator God’s Covenant with man through Faith. No power can stand against His perfect choice to base our mutual relationship on His unassailable committment to faithfully love His children!
In Jesus, man's ‘works’ find rest as our faith in His work on our behalf increases steadily. The Holy Spirit within joines merges with our spirit and both wholeheartedly rejoice in this Truth - we have been blessed beyond comprehension by our ever mindful God of Creation.
What is this covenant that God made with Abraham?
Hello Clinton - I put your question as asked in the computer to search for a precise answer.
Google states the following:
'The covenant is a promise that God made with Abraham. According to the covenant, God would offer protection and land to Abraham and his descendants, but they must follow the path of God. God then commanded Abraham and his future generations to perform the ritual of circumcision (brit milah) as a symbol of the covenant.