The Hope of Covenant

There has been a lot of excitement about races recently. While I am not a fan of races, I am not deaf and I am aware of the emphasis on "starting lineups". There seems to be an advantage in good beginnings. This is true of many things. People with advantage seem to be the successful ones. But it does not always hold true.

With covenant relationships the advantage is not personal advantage but in the covenant that is cut. There is hope in a covenant relationship that does not depend on your abilities or your beginning-advantage or your misfortunes. It is not about you but all about Him. However, back to the anology of races, it is not how you begin but how you end the race that counts. How faithful you are in your response to Him is the only factor in how you run your race.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Many start out with great enthusiasm, but when the way gets difficult, the obstacles become too much, the length becomes too long, the enthusiasm wanes because the sight of the goal has been lost.

Your faithfulness will depend on your keeping your eyes on Jesus and your willingness to endure. People and circumstances are the obstacles of this course, but Jesus is the Way. Consider Him. How did He endure? For the joy set before Him. How will you endure? Consider the goal, an eternity in His Presence, doing the will of the Father and abiding in His joy. The things of this earth are fleeting and its pain will not last if you cross the finish line. The hope of covenant is the strength of your covenant maker. Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Bless you and have a good day!