IN COVENANT

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 26 February 2012

Hi all,

How many times have you been taught about covenant from the pulpit? I've heard about the topic a few times. I've also taught about it on a number of occasions. Nevertheless, there isn't nearly enough understanding of covenant in the Church today. This is particularly true in Anglican, Methodist and other Episcopalian circles.

The first time I heard anything about it was in 1982 when I was in a local Bible School. I was greatly encouraged and greatly shaken by what I learned. I distinctly remember being informed that there was no higher commitment we could make with each other and/or with God than a Covenant. I was told that our salvation came about as a result of a covenant Jesus Had made with His Father on our behalf. It was a covenant sealed in Jesus’ blood and could not be broken; certainly not in the context being expounded. It was on this assumption that many believe that no matter what we do after cutting this covenant with God, it has no significance in our relationship with God.

The other aspect of covenant was it’s implications in marriage. We were taught, quite rightly, that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. The only way out is death! Divorce is not an option. Adultery was punishable by death, because one of the parties had broken their covenant with their partner. Death by stoning would correct this breach of covenant. In the Old Testament, this took place. What bothered me was that it was only the woman who was stoned. It was originally intended as the penalty for both parties. But the man “got away with it”; presumably because he was male. (Male chauvinism?)

Phyllida and I have had a real life experience with the Lord concerning divorce. No names. No pack drill. In the light of our previous divorces, we now take the marriage covenant very seriously.

We have now been in a marriage covenant with each other for over 30 years. We have a marriage that is wonderful and as godly as we know how. Our commitment to each other is based on our covenant with each other and with God. If it could last for another million years, that would be fine by us. Realistically speaking we know that each day takes us closer to the end of our lives here on this planet. Until that day arrives we have the Lord and each other. Hallelujah!

Today’s meditation looks at covenant in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

In Covenant

When I was still in primary school, I joined a little gang. We didn’t seek to do a thing. We called ourselves “the Clan”. We had no plans for anything our gang would ever do. But somehow it appealed to us; and so our Clansmen grew, From four young boys to ten of us. That’s when we made a pact, That we would stick together and we would always act, In favour of each other. So we became a bunch, Of dedicated “Clangers”, till we went home for lunch. The next time that we met again, we thought we’d make a vow; To promise to be faithful, somewhere, some time, somehow. And so we took a little knife and each one cut his thumb. We mixed our blood in secret and vowed we’d be a chum, To all the other members. But it was getting dark; And we were all a bit afraid of night-time in the park. So all of us went home again; not sure what we would say, When we were asked by Mom and Dad, what we had done that day? I really can’t remember. My thumb was kind of sore. But Dettol and Elastoplast, made it feel fine once more. We didn’t understand it, but back there in those days, We’d touched upon a custom that teaches Bible ways. The reference was to covenant and just what it implied. A life-long vow of faithfulness; until the day we died. But we were only children and didn’t really mean, To enter into covenant endorsed by the unseen. For God records each covenant and tells us never break, The vow we’ve made with others. We never should forsake A promise made in covenant. There is no higher oath, That anyone can ever make. It’s like pledging our troth, To be forever faithful, as husband and as wife. Regardless what may happen, the promise lasts for life. We have a life-long covenant, with Jesus Christ our King, I never want to break it. I gave Him everything. I made Him Lord and Master. His slave I chose to be. And in exchange He promised He would take good care of me. This covenant we made that day was forged upon His cross. He gave me all His righteousness and He took all my dross! So now He gives the orders. My part is to obey. But I am not complaining. I’m loving it this way! Jim Strickland – Written Sunday, 26 February 2012