JIMMETS – COVENANT GIFT

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Hi all,

Today we meditate on God’s Promise to David and on Ephesians 1:3-6. There is also reference to Romans 8:28 in the introduction. 2 Tim 1:12 is not referred to directly, but Paul’s conviction that God is able to guard that with which He has been trusted is clear. This conforms with Romans 8:28. Thus all four Scripture references are utilised. Expressing Ephesians 1:3-6 in Jimmet form was fun!

Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus Tuesday, 14 August 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JIMMETS – COVENANT GIFT
A couple of days ago we looked at an occasion early in David’s reign. At that time he had wanted to build a “house” for God. The Temple that would be built by his son Solomon. David was told by the Lord through His prophet that he was not permitted do this. He was a man of war with blood on his hands. The temple would be built by his son who would be a man of peace. However, he was informed that God would build him a house! A throne on which his descendants would always sit. David’s reaction to this was that he felt completely overwhelmed. It’s worth pointing out that God would build this line. He would be the One who would design and supervise the building of David’s “house”. In a way, David would emulate what God had promised to do. He became the architect of the Temple and went about accumulating materials for the task. He also made provision so that on his death, all his personal wealth would be donated for the building of the temple. In this respect, although Solomon built the temple, it was based on his father’s provision. Perhaps we should refer to the Temple as “David’s Temple” rather than “Solomon’s Temple”. We don’t do that for good reasons. But we do remember Sir Christopher Wren as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Does anyone know who did the building? In today’s first Scripture, we move in time to the end of David’s reign. By now, he was an old man. In spite of this, we notice that he had not forgotten God’s everlasting covenant with him. It’s interesting to read how confident David was that God would do this. The New Living Translation expresses his confidence in God’s undertaking to him and his family: 5 "Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. 2 Samuel 23:5 NLT David’s attitude sheds additional light on the assurance Paul describes in Romans 8: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT  David had no idea that it would be some 1000 years before Jesus would be manifest in the flesh. During the interim, David’s line had almost disappeared. But it could be traced back through his mother’s antecedents as well as His stepfather’s antecedents. Here was the fulfilment of God’s promise to David; the everlasting King of Kings! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			25 "Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. 2 Samuel 23:5 NLT 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 TNIV 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3-6 TNIV 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:27-30 TNIV	EVERLASTING COVENANT An everlasting covenant was cut; That David would forever have a son, Who sat upon the throne; no ifs or buts; Until creation’s time on earth was done. I wonder if He really understood, How God would bring this promise into fact? He realised that God, the Father, would Keep His Word and was obliged to act; The way He had declared to him that day. Who else but God had the ability, To bring about the things he heard God say, And keep it going for eternity? But there was one thing David knew for sure. God’s promises forever would endure. Jim Strickland written 14th August 2012     HIS FREE GIFT Praise be unto the Farther of our Lord; Who blessed us in the heavenly realms above. All Spiritual blessings He has poured, On us, through Jesus Christ, the King of Love. In Him. He chose us in the “days” before, He started to create the things we see. Predestined our adoption to be more, Than creatures who are lost eternally. This was according to His Sovereign will; The Sons of God; Not merely men of mud. And by His grace, decided He would spill Christ Jesus’ own and very precious blood! O what a plan! To take our punishment! The very reason why His Son was sent! Jim Strickland written 14th August 2012