Are We Fulfilling Our Obligations As God’s Covenant People?
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 11 and Psalm 15 (NIV)
(Christina Stanley, Zone 10 Core Team Member, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Jeremiah 11 and Psalm 15 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Judah’s covenant with God was broken after the death of their king, Josiah. The people returned to doing evil and worshipping false gods. God sent His prophet Jeremiah to preach the message of the broken covenant and its consequences. God declared that He would pour out His anger and fury upon Judah; He would bring calamity upon them, they would not be able to escape, He would not listen to their cries, and nothing could save them (Jeremiah 11:11, NKJV).
Yet, God has an eternal desire for His people to fulfill their part of the covenant with Him; He repeated his instructions from Jeremiah 7:23, and urged:
“Obey My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God, that I may establish the oath which I have sworn to your fathers, to give them ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ as it is this day.” (Jeremiah 11:4, NKJV)
The purpose of His covenant was to create a holy people through establishing a relationship with us, with defined obligations and responsibilities1 , or ‘terms of the covenant’ as the New International Version puts it.
The Old Testament story tells of God’s vision for the creation of a covenant community and of the people’s falling short of the divine purpose. And when the people sin and fall, God sends them prophets, like Jeremiah to help them be a people of God.2
Yet the people of Judah failed to fulfill God’s divine covenant, and continued with their evil ways, including worshipping false gods. It is worth noting in this context, that in Jeremiah 31:33-34, God vowed to write a new covenant on their hearts, so that He shall be their God, and they shall be His people, and that He may forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
This new covenant was fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate gift of God’s love, grace and mercy.
APPLY:
Our obligations as a covenant people have been clearly and repeatedly articulated by God.
Psalm 15 outlines some of these obligations clearly, and provide continued assurance of God’s grace. We know He welcomes us to abide in His tabernacle, dwell in His holy hill, only if we walk rightly, work righteously, speak the truth, do no evil and honour those who fear the Lord.
Yet I wonder if we very often “test” the limits of God’s patience and loving kindness?
Are we truly fulfilling all our obligations and responsibilities to lead holy and exemplary lives, and to declare our faith through obedience, humility, mercy and grace? Are we being “selective” in our obedience? Are we worshipping false gods like our careers, wealth, material possessions, reputation and the need for validation?
Like the many gods that the people of Judah worshipped, none of all that we ‘worship’ can save us. This is surely a very timely reminder for us to live lives that are worthy of God’s new covenant with us.
DO:
For me, one obligation that requires intentional work is to be more patient with people. I realise that impatience draws a dark curtain on God’s light, and when that happens, any intent to be a worthy witness is blotted out.
Impatience is often very transparent to others. I know this, because when others are impatient with me, I am fully aware. My impatience is not always expressed in words – it is expressed as body language, a frown, a glance, or with seemingly good intentions, taking over someone’s task because they are not doing it right or too slowly.
Hence, I need to intentionally curb my impatience, and remember to extend grace and understanding to the other person, remembering that our Maker has made and wired each of us differently. I need to remember God’s abundant grace extended to me, and in turn, how I must extend grace to others as well.
PRAY:
Lord, You have been ever faithful, forgiving, merciful and gracious. From the very start of creation, You made a Covenant with us. Yet, time and again, we have broken covenant with You. Forgive us, Lord. I pray that through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, I may be more conscious and intentional about fulfilling my obligations and responsibilities to You in faith, obedience, submission and humility. Thank you, dearest Lord, for Your love, and Your persistent pursuit of us to be a Holy People. Amen.
Footnotes:
1 and 2 were drawn from chapter 7, God Makes Covenant with Us, in the study manual, Christian Believer: Knowing God with Heart & Mind by J. Ellsworth Kalas, Abingdon Press 1999.
