Covenant Renewal
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Deuteronomy 29 and Psalm 131 (NIV)
(Sarah Khoo, PTM for Children’s Ministry)
READ:
The following verses spoke to me:
Deuteronomy 29 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In Deuteronomy 29, Moses led the people of God to renew their commitment to the covenant God made with them. Moses reminded them that it was the power of God that delivered them out of Egypt. God never fail to care and provide for their needs as they journeyed through the desert. This reminder was necessary so they would know the Lord their God, and continue to be faithful to the covenant (v1-6 ).
The purpose of renewing the covenant was to ensure that the Israelites followed the terms of the covenant carefully ( v9). If they chose to disobey, they would be singled out and faced God’s judgement. Following and obeying the covenant would lead them to prosper in everything they do. Their commitment to follow and live according to the covenant would be passed onto future generations who were to continue to follow God. God would continue to keep the covenant with future generations (v22).
APPLY:
2023 is ending soon. From Deuteronomy 29 I am impressed to take time off to renew my covenant with Christ, to keep alive my journey with Him. This leads me to seek a deeper understanding of my covenant with Christ. It makes me reflect on my faith journey with Christ which started more than 25 years ago.
I feel I am a good Christian because I do all the disciplines that qualify me to be called a Christian. I read the Bible almost every day, do my best in my spiritual discipline, and serve Him as a full-time staff. I know God’s commandments, and I memorized the greatest commandment, in Mark 12:30-31 which is to love God and to love others as myself.
However, I realize that knowing God doesn’t mean I have mastered obeying His commandments. Sometimes, when I read God’s word, my heart turns cold towards what is expected of me. Sometimes, I couldn’t care much for the unlovable and difficult people in my life. Deuteronomy 29 reminds me to renew my covenant with Christ. Renewal of the covenant with God is necessary for me to continue to be faithful to the Lord, my God. The renewing is a time to count my blessings that His grace is sufficient and the hope that I have in Jesus.
Deuteronomy 29 also encourages me to impart the value of remembering God’s faithfulness and His blessings for His people for future generations. My involvement in the Children’s Ministry gives me the privilege to do this. I need God’s wisdom to guide me to impart and nurture the lives of young hearts to grow as Christ’s disciples. The discipline of renewing my covenant with Christ brings me back to who I am in Christ, encourages me to continue to serve Him and be his faithful disciple.
DO:
The first step is to pray for the renewing of my covenant with Christ. I will seek and ask Him to reveal the areas of my life in which I need to grow in Christ. I will make time to seek God’s guidance and wisdom as I seek to love and nurture the next generations.
PRAY:
Dear Lord God, you are the Lord my God. As I renew my covenant with you, I commit myself to follow and obey you. May your grace lead me and guide me as I seek to be faithful in my journey with you. In Jesus name. Amen.
