THE COVENANT

Today’s Reading: Genesis 16-17

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

This spectacular view looking across from the Mount of Olives toward the Eastern Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem is taken from the Dominus Flevit (Latin for “the Lord wept”) Church which is built on the traditional spot where Jesus wept over the city (John 11:35).

Key Verse: Genesis 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless…”

Chapter 17 contains the articles of the covenant between God, on the first part, and Abram, on the second part. A covenant is the most legally binding agreement into which two parties can enter. This covenant was sealed with blood, Abram’s in circumcision and God’s in the shed Blood of Jesus. Our key verse provides the introduction to the long-range purpose of the covenant. It is a covenant of grace, which God continues to implement for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In making Himself known as “Almighty God,” we are told what we may expect God to be to us; namely, God Who is Enough: an all-sufficient God. Our part is to walk in integrity. God, as recorded in 1 Samuel 2:30, tells us, “Those who honour Me, I will honour”!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, I am blameless in Your eyes because of the blood of “Immanuel,” “God with us.” Father, I am confident that according to Your Word, “The Blood of Jesus Christ, His [God’s] Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Thank You for initiating the covenant, and thank You for the grace You’ve given me to say “Yes” in response. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Yesterday I introduced  who provides pictures each day which he photographed in Israel. I’ll never forget the afternoon when God baptized my son Reynold with the Holy Spirit in our rec room. This was a powerful encounter with God which he experienced at eight years of age. God did Acts 2:4 (please it look up) after school that day before I arrived home from work. Just as I entered the room, I saw him holding up a kleenex tissue and saying, “Lord Jesus, You’ve made me whiter than this kleenex by Your Blood.” This was also the first long sentence I had ever heard him make without his usual stutter. His public school teacher called us the next day to ask, “What has happened to Reynold?” His whole life was transformed by an act of God. God initiated a similar encounter with Himself for me when I was 16. God said “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28). Peter quoted this in his message on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17).

Yours because of God’s covenant!

David

P.S. Happy Independence Day to all our USA blog readers!