A NEW COVENANT
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 31
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
First century family life is depicted by the actors in Nazareth Village as they attempt to recreate life as it was in ancient times. Today's reading contains the statement, "I will be the God of all the families of Israel." Jesus lived here in Nazareth from His childhood until He was 30 years old.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 31:31, 33
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Jeremiah 31 was written as an encouragement to God’s people who had been forcibly removed from Jerusalem and relocated in Babylon. The prophet reminds them of God’s promise to their father Abraham that in his seed all families would be blessed. Statements such as, “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” and “Again I will build you,” may have been the inspiration for Daniel’s prayer offered through his open window in Babylon, three times every day (Daniel 6:10-11).
Jeremiah 31:15-17 is a prophecy fulfilled in Bethlehem (Ramah) when Herod’s soldiers killed the babies two years old and under (Matthew 2:16-23).
One cannot miss the word “covenant” repeated four times in today’s reading (Jeremiah 31:31-34). A “covenant” is the most binding agreement that can be made between two parties. These words constitute a legal document registered in God’s unchanging Word for time and eternity. This New Covenant (or “Testament” as in Last Will and Testament) was executed by God, Himself, and sealed with the Blood of the eternal Sacrifice of the Messiah as He died on the Cross (Hebrews 7:22 – 8:13). How wonderful it is that this New Covenant is written on our hearts, not just an tablets of stone!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God of Jeremiah and Daniel, I ask that I will gain a new understanding of the New Covenant written on my heart, and may I learn to pray powerful pivotal prayers for the fulfillment of Your Word as did Daniel. “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth” (Psalm 86:11a). I pray this in the Name of the One who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6a). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m asking my son Ron to place here an invitation for all blog readers to be sure to get your very own copy of Dr. John Hull’s new book, Pivotal Praying. Ron, please explain as you do on TV why this should be considered essential reading for every person who believes that there is a personal God Who hears and answers prayer!
David
Hi friends…Ron here. Whether one is a brand new believer in Jesus or a seasoned follower of His, when life’s storms hit us hard, we need God’s help. But what are the keys to effectively connecting with God beyond a typical knee-jerk reactionary prayer? John G. Lake, an influential Christian leader in the early 20th century, observed, “There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying.” That is so true! Our Crossroads Global CEO, Dr. John Hull, has written a tremendous book entitled PIVOTAL PRAYING that I’d love to send you. The book’s subtitle is “Connecting with God in Times of Great Need.” John and his co-author, Tim Elmore, provide us with solid Biblical guidelines for praying strategically and effectively, especially at those pivotal moments in our lives or in the life of a loved one. You can request the book by calling 1-800-265-3100 (in North America), or by clicking HERE and requesting it online. We simply ask that you consider including a donation to the ministry of Crossroads when you request the book. Thanks so much!
P.S. Dr. John Hull will share some short, daily teachings from his book on 100 Huntley Street throughout February. To start the month, Moira Brown interviewed John on Monday of this week regarding his book. If you missed it, you can watch it HERE.
The former president of Iraq (ancient Babylon), Saddam Hussein, was in the process of rebuilding the city of Babylon when the allied armies led by the U.S.A. invaded, occupied, and stopped the restoration project. This part of the wall is known as "The Ishtar Gate."
Praise God for THE NEW COVENANT…..Our Lord Jesus Christ….who once and for all paid my debt in FULL!!!!
Wonderful reading today, as always, starting my day on the right path.
Blessings to all who are children of THE MOST HIGH GOD.
Amen, Catherine!!
I say AMEN as well!!!
Amen Catherine!
“Praise God for THE NEW COVENANT
…Our Lord Jesus Christ…who once and for all paid my debt in FULL!!!”
Brothers and sisters may you walk in the spirit of love as only our savior Jesus can give… Amen!
AMEN!
Nothing could mean more! Amen, David!
When I was a young lady, the song “Bend me, Shape me, Anyway you want me” used to have an entirely different meaning to me. I was madly in love with my dear husband of 47 years (still am). Now all the lovely old love songs remind me of my heavenly Father and how I’ve given myself to him to be bent and shaped into a person He can be proud of. I hate to bring stress to God (or my husband:-)). God seems to have been so terribly stressed by his own people in the Jeremiah readings.
May the good Lord bless each of you today fellow believers.
In agreement with my sisters and brothers in Christ–praising God for the new covenant! Thank You, God! Thank You, Jesus!
The words of the Lord in Jeremiah are so beautiful as we are reminded of His great creation:
Thus says the Lord,
Who gives the sun for a light by day,
The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
Who disturbs the sea,
And its waves roar
(The Lord of hosts is His name) Jer 31:35
Blessings to all saints, for a beautiful day in the Lord!
Its exciting serving the Lord our God of the universe, Make me be the person you want me to be let your will be done I my life to be I the plan you have from the foundation of the world
You knew me before I was concieved in my mother s womb and howmay hairs upon my head its so great to know you know me better than I know myself , Live your life through me that I may glorify you through this body mind and spirit .
God bless all my fellow bloggers and stay warm and walk and ddrive safely and may God give you floods of favor as to your families I Jesus name Amen
Amen!
Thank you for this morning’s devotional. As always, they start my day on the right path with scripture to remember all day long.
I also enjoy this blog. Though I still struggle to read it every day, but I really want to develop a habit of reading a Bible every day. Hope God will help me.
Our family has been appreciating the book “It is Finished” by David Wilkerson. It was the last book that he wrote before he passed away and his son put it together and published it. It is a wonderful work on the New Covenant completed by Jesus at Calvary. Just thought I would mention it along with appreciation for your daily blog which is so rich in insight into God’s Word. Thank you for rising early every morning to spend time with the Lord and share your studies with us. We are so happy that the Lord is blessing you with healing.
Father God I just pray you will hear Olya’s prayer and mine: to help us to form better habits in reading your word. I to struggle but manage to catch up and am still here. I got the book the Daniel Plan and am making strides but its not easy but God will see me through this and your dedication Pastor David Mainse and motivation will help. God Bless! Adele
Thank you!
An incredible shift today in Jeremiah with emphasis on redemption and our new covenant through our Lord Jesus Christ and the shedding of His Blood! Thank you for helping us gain a greater understanding of the significance of this in our lives, David!
Jeremiah 31 is an amazing display of God’s Nature. His Holiness must bring judgment to His people Israel and even sending them away from the Promised land, but His unfailing Love gives Hope, Return and Redemption. As He punished Adam and Eve He promised to send a Saviour. Gen.3:15 In the darkest time of Israel, Israel’s dispersion to Assyria and Judah’s 70 year captivity in Babylon, God gives them the greatest Promise of the New Covenant. At Christ’s Second Coming, Israel is still His chosen people and they will see Him, Whom they have pierced and recognize Christ as their Messiah, Zech.12:9 – 13:1 The apostle Paul in Romans 11 confirms God’s unchangeable Plans for His people Israel.
It is so overwhelming that in our generation we have seen the fulfilment of God’s Promise to bring the Jews back from all the countries where He has driven them. When ? After the Holocaust when over 1/3 perished. Even today we see how “He still curses those, who curse you” All the nations who want to drive Israel into the Mediterranean, experience civil wars and fight each other. Notice also God’s assurance in Jer.31:38-40 that Israel will NEVER cease to be a nation. He has protected and preserved them all through history. Can their conversion to see their Messiah be near ? God’s Word never changes and our Hope for His Imminent Return is unfailing.
Amen!!…along with my fellow bloggers….thoroughly enjoying this daily time with you….along with David and his wonderful assistants…..so thankful for this vital ministry for HIM 🙂
Thank you Rev. David Mainse for your faithfulness in sharing this blog with us
And how wonderful to hear you are now able to enjoy new clean blood through your veins!!!!
A wonderful and uplifting message today. So very thankful for the new covenant. Thank you all for your comments and David M and Ron for their wonderful directions and helps.
Amen! Thank you Jesus for the New Covenant! Now reading Jerusalem’s Traitor and the terrible destruction of the city in 70AD by the Romans resembling the destruction of Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s time makes me more convinced of what will happen in Revelation. Lord help us to share the seriousness of this with others and help us to be ready. Appreciate your blog David and fellow saints.