Old Covenants
Promise Maker, Promise Keeper Written By: Charise McNutt
Oh, how precious are the promises of God! How rich is His grace abounding toward us who believe!
If you have spent any time in a church gathering, you may have heard about Noah, the flood and the rainbow. It can easily become a story and a sign that you miss the very intense moment God shows His love and affection toward His people. You may miss the depth of God’s heart toward YOU.
Genesis 9:8-13 says, “Then God spoke to Noah and to his son’s with him, saying: ‘And as for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. Thus I establish My covenant with you: never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ And God said: ‘ This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. ‘ “
The word “covenant” is a pledge, an alliance, a promise with an agreement. The God of the universe chooses to make covenant with men and women on earth and with the earth. In this passage, God promises that there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth. Not only does He promise this but He knows that we need reminders of His promises so He created a rainbow as a sign just for us. He gives a commitment and a sign of the commitment, like we do with our wedding vows and wedding rings. It is so very fascinating and beautiful.
In the third chapter of Genesis, we read that God promised to send a Savior. He already knew what man would choose and when He did, He let’s them know He has already made provision for them to overcome. He allows for consequences but He is the Provider of a Savior.
God came to Abram to establish a covenant. Within this covenant, He changes Abram’s name to Abraham. He was known as “Exalted father” yet had no children and God changed His name to Abraham, “Father of a multitude”. God was promising Abraham so very much beyond his own capacity to see or grasp. God told him, “I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly”. God had his part of the covenant and Abraham had his part to participate.
God made covenant with His people Israel. You can read through the Old Testament of God establishing the commitment and the participation of Himself and His people. It is a beautiful covenant.
Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments”.
We read in Matthew 26:26-28, when Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, he said ” ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the New covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’ “
Jesus brought about a new commitment, a new promise, a new covenant. 1 Corinthians calls it a new covenant of the Spirit. My friend, God is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9). He has promised us eternal life (1 John 2:25). Paul told the church in Phil. 1:6 that we can “be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” And 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “Now, all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are Yes, and in Him, Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Just like Noah and the generations after Him have a sign and a promise, so, we have a promise and guarantee.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
My friends, He seals His children and gives us the Holy Spirit; the Helper, the Comforter, as our guarantee. Oh, He is coming back. He promised us He would. He is redeeming that which is lost. He promised us that He would. He is faithful because His character is faithful.
Proverbs 30, verse 5 says, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
May each one of us put our hope and trust in the unchangeable character of God. He loves you, He chose you, He makes covenant with you, if you are willing.
This is an old hymn that makes my heart happy to sing. I pray it will for you as well.
“Standing on the Promises”
1Standing on the promises of Christ, my King, Through eternal ages let his praises ring; Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain: Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail. When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord, Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall, List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
