Saturday, January 10, 2009

Am I a Covenant Breaker?

I was reading in Ezekiel 17 this morning. It began as God told Ezekiel to tell another Allegory about 2 eagles and a vine! Basically it is about the conquering of Jerusalem by Neb (first Eagle) and him making Zedekiah (vine) king of Israel. Zedekiah makes a covenant or treaty with Neb. Then Zedekiah breaks that treaty by going to Egypt (2nd eagle) and trying to get support from him to rebel against Neb. God takes covenants very seriously! He made a covenant with Abraham in Chapter 6 of Genesis and has kept it to this day, and continues to be faithful! The word Covenant is mentioned 286 times in the NIV bible.

He does not like it when his people break covenant with him, and it appears also with others (Neb) (see Ezekiel 17:18). He continually reminds his people who he is and the covenant he has made to them. He keeps repeating this is why judgement has come, so you will remember Who I AM!

Psalms 111:9
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
After reading this I went back to bed, because the dog got me up at 4:00. While I was laying in bed this thought came to mind: "Am I a covenant breaker?" How many covenants have I broken? How many times have I promised God or others that I would do something and haven't? Covenants are serious business!

Isaiah 24:5 & 6
The earth is defiled by its people;
they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
and broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse consumes the earth;
its people must bear their guilt.
Therefore earth's inhabitants are burned up,
and very few are left.
Even in the midst of his judgement God always brings us back to his promise (covenant). Oh how sweet these words below are to covenant breakers like me!
Isaiah 54: 9-11
To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11 "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will build you with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with sapphires.
I do not want to be a covenant breaker any more! Last night I signed a simple covenant (or was it) to be healthy. I signed it before God and the people that were there. I believe God brought that thought to my mind to remind me that I need to take this seriously and keep my covenant!
Thank you Lord for opening my eyes! Thank you for your mercy and kindness to me! Thank you that your mercies are new every morning!

9 comments:

Mari said...

Good post Kim! Since I was another covenant signer it was good for me to see this and be reminded. It's too easy to take things like this lightly.

Cheryl said...

Sometimes we do not take things serious. Making a covenant is serious business. You made some excellent points! Thanks Kim!

Mocha with Linda said...

Excellent words. I also have a pet peeve with pastors who I know are well-meaning but give an emotional plea "raise your hand if you'll pray for this building fund" (or missionary or whatever the current "project" is). People are put on the spot and often agree to something they have no intention of doing.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Wow, I'd be scared to make a covenant about being healthier because I'm so afraid I'd fail. But I think it's awesome that you did.

Susannah said...

Be ye healthy! That's an excellent good goal to work toward. :~D

mariel said...

I JUST posted on needing His NEW mercies!! Thank you for this reminder on the weight of our promises.

All My Blessings said...

Hi Kim, I was talking to my mother-in-law just yesterday and we were on this same subject. We also admitted to not doing things such as not following thru with promises we've made to others and how angry we had been and know that we should apologize but don't. Thank you for reminding me that I will have to make it a priority to recognize and record. Kae

Denise said...

Bless you for this wonderful post dear.

Kathy Schwanke said...

I loved this! I love that promise in Isaiah. I have been encouraged by it so many times! What a precious Promiser!!!!