I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end.
I Am Found In You
by
Steven Curtis Chapman
If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. Deuteronomy 7:12 NIV
Wait a minute! What about Romans 8:39, which says that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus”? Was this verse not true in the Old Testament, because Jesus had not yet suffered and died on our behalf? No, God’s love is everlasting. Has been; always will be. So, how do I reconcile today’s verse, which tells the Israelites that if they are obedient, God will keep His covenant of love? Now that requires explanation.
Have you ever bought a house? When you placed an offer on the house, were there any conditions? For instance, did you pledge to buy the house provided your house would sell or that you could obtain financing. This is a conditional contract. That is what God had given to the Israelites, which Moses is referring to in Deuteronomy.
There are two major covenants, or contracts, God made with the Israelites. The first was with Abraham, where God covenanted to make Abraham into a great nation, and to love Him forever, and to “never leave” him “nor forsake” him. This covenant, known as the Abrahamic covenant was unconditional, given to the Israelites, through Abraham, solely because God loved them and wanted them to be His own.
The second major covenant found in the Old Testament, is the Mosaic covenant, given to the Israelites through Moses. (See where it gets its name.) It provided for the love and care of God to the Israelite people....as long as they would love and obey Him. It was conditional, just as you and I have signed conditional contracts. These Israelites, remained also under the Abrahamic covenant, which meant that even when they failed to follow God’s will, and therefore ceased to find God’s favor as a nation, they continued in existence. The remaining people are known as the “remnant of God”. You will hear them mentioned throughout the Bible.
So, where do you and I fit into this today? You see, we are co-heirs with Abraham. If you are a Christian, then you have been adopted into the family of God. (see Galatians 3:6-14). You are a child of God and His love for you will never end. (hence Romans 8:39). Nothing can keep Him from loving you. Now, are there blessings of God that are still conditional today? I think so. Sometimes we miss those blessings because we fail to be obedient to His will for our lives.
Praise God and thank Him today if you are part of Abraham’s seed, because God will always love you. It is not up to you to remain in that love; it is up to God to keep you there; and He can certainly be trusted. Then, ask God if there are conditional blessings you are missing because you have failed to follow His ways. Seek Him with all your heart and see what great things He has for you.
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All materials © 2008 Richard G. Schlief.
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