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
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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
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