“…I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake…neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done.” – Genesis 8:21 (KJV)
Making and keeping a covenant is a way of demonstrating integrity and uprightness of heart in a person. It is evidence that one can keep his promises or agreements with others. In ancient days men made covenants with each other and were faithful to these covenants unto death. No written agreement was needed. The spoken word was sufficient, especially if witnessed.
This all began with God’s creation. Within the Gospel, a covenant is a sacred agreement or mutual promise between God and a person or group of persons. In making a covenant, God promises a blessing for obedience to His commandments.
In the book of Genesis (the beginning), we read of several covenants being made between God and man. The word covenant is introduced by God first in Genesis 6:18 KJV), “But with thee I will establish My covenant….”. God spoke with Noah, giving him instructions about building an ark to be safe from the coming flood. Noah and his family were the only ones found righteous of all the people on the earth. God intended to (and did) rid the earth of all life; “…everything that is in the earth shall die.” – Genesis 6:17 (KJV). True to His Word, God kept Noah and his family and all else within the ark safe while the entire earth perished because of the wickedness of man.
God’s promises are not without conditions. He cannot countenance sin. In Genesis 4: 4-7, God showed respect for Abel’s offering but rejected that of Cain and said to him, “If thou doest well, shall thou not be accepted?” God wants us to do well and has given us His commandments which are not burdensome – 1 John 5:3. Let us strive to keep His commandments and lay hold on the covenant blessings.
Prayer
Thank You Lord, for Your Word that says Your mercies are from everlasting to everlasting, to those who fear You and Your righteousness to those that keep Your covenant and remember Your commandments to do them. We pray for strength daily to resist evil and do Your will, even in the face of persecution, in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Read: Psalm 103: 17-18; Hebrews 12:24
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 3:21-35; Matthew 21:18-32; Job 22; Job 23; Job 24
