A New Covenant

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God." ~Genesis 17:1-8

Many nights during the week, after dinner, Adam and I read a passage of the Bible aloud together and then talk about it for a few minutes. I have to confess that many nights, I come to this part of our evening with an attitude of selfishness and laziness. Or I just completely zone out. I'm usually tired after a long day at work, and I all I can think about is how I just want to sit on the couch and watch television, or read a book/magazine.

Reading the passage above last night was different. Hearing my own voice speak these words from God aloud almost brought me to tears. It is so beautiful and encouraging to hear these words that God speaks to Abraham, beginning this covenant with Abraham and his people. And these words weren't just meant for Abraham. They are meant for anyone who would believe in the one true God. And because of Jesus, we can be part of this covenant that God has promised. We can rest in the knowledge that God has promised to be our God.

I want to always rest in that promise.