COVENANT PROMISES
01st Apr 2020
I’m reading Luke’s gospel at the moment and noted how God spoke to each main character in the story of the birth of Jesus. His word was “Do not be afraid” - they were not facing a pandemic, but as the circumstances of their lives were being irrevocably changed, the message from heaven was a very firm “Do not be afraid.”
Fear is as contagious as Covid 19, and we need to deal with it as soon as it seeks to contaminate. We wash our hands, or in this case our minds and emotions, to prevent either spreading or damaging us.
Our antidote is faith in the promises of God. For me the whole blood covenant has taken on a new meaning. God has made a covenant with us His people, and will keep His promises as we seek to obey Him. When God rescued His people from Egypt, the final plague was death and the Israelites were given specific instructions on how to be safe in their houses. Each household was to sacrifice a lamb, place some of the blood on the lintel and door posts of their house, roast the lamb and eat the meat.
During the night the angel of death passed through the land and those covered by the blood were safe, those not were were visited by death. Wealth and status could not save them, Pharaoh’s eldest son was dead and the Egyptians begged them to leave. They left in haste, a mass exodus, free from slavery, able to worship as directed by God. (See Exodus 12)
Our sacrificial lamb is Jesus, who became on the cross the atoning sacrifice. His blood was shed for our redemption and salvation, God was making a new covenant with His redeemed people. We celebrate this every time we take Holy Communion. “We have not been redeemed with silver and gold….but with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
I heard a story many years ago of a missionary working with a primitive tribe, who had resisted every effort to receive the gospel. One day the chief came to him and said, “We all want to know your Jesus.” Shocked but rejoicing the missionary asked what had changed their minds. It wasn’t his preaching or serving, the chief told him they had been using every kind of poison to kill him, we have contaminated your food, but you have not died! So your God is stronger than anything we have trusted in, so we want to know this Saviour!
This Jesus today wants you to be secure in His covenant promises. He wants you, your family and dwelling to be personally covered by His blood. “Under his outstretched arms you will be safe.” Psalm 91. “If you listen…. you will be free from harm and dwell in safety and peace.” Proverbs 1.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
