THE STORY, Chapter 5
Exodus 19-20; 24-25; 32-34, 40
New Commands and a New Covenant
God's Covenant with Believers
"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth." Exodus 19:4-5(NLT)
Reflection
Before issuing the 10 commandments in Exodus 20, God set the conditions of his Covenant with His people. His part was to rescue them and their part was to obey. It was like a wedding ceremony. God committed Himself to the Hebrews and the Hebrews were to reciprocate.
Can you see how obedience is more like keeping one's wedding vows than obeying the law? It's not about law, crime and punishment, rather it's about faithfulness to the one who loves you and is committed to you.
It's like seeking to honor your spouse. Do you do it because you have to or because you want to?
Prayer
“Lord, thank you for your love and forgiveness and grace and faithfulness even when I keep my end of the vows so poorly. Thank you for loving me. Help me love you back. Amen"
This is exactly how it is! And knowing this, for me, has helped me in the area of forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteThose times I just feel so hurt that I don't even 'want' to forgive, (not to be disrespectful) but remember that beer commercial many years ago that said, "This one's for you"?
Well, its so much easier to set straight my heart when I do it for God. I very literally say, "God this one's for you" I am out of the picture and doing something soley b/c I know it will please him.
Gee, I hate to think I'm the only one willing to open my mouth on this blog, is anyone out there with thoughts, too?