Owning the Covenant

Scripture: The Lord heard the sound of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, "I have heard the sound of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. O that there were such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" Deuteronomy 5:28-29

Observation: As Moses recollects the delivery of the ten commandments, the memory includes the great fear and honor the Jews held for God, and God's joy in seeing that honor. Of course he knows what will come, for he immediately laments that they will not always retrain this honor and thus keep the commandments. God knows the Jews, as he knows the heart of mankind. We will all fail.

Yet the very next thing that happens is that ... God proceeds with giving Moses all of his commands and teachings. He dismisses Israel, and calls Moses to join him on the mountain where he can teach him all the laws. Back in Exodus, while that is happening the Jews immediate violate the second commandment they JUST heard from God's own words and build a golden calf. So we see that ... God is pleased with our worship and honor, he knows we will not continue in his ways and will violate his teachings, yet he still provides us with those teachings and with his love.

Application: I cannot imagine the number of times I have broken God's heart, only to have him forgive me and guide me, knowing full well that I will absolutely break his heart again. I can't imagine why he puts up with me. Surely there are others more worthy of his love, and surely I have long proven that I am unworthy of his patience.

This is the true miracle of salvation through Jesus ... that an all-powerful God - creator of the universe - even cares about me when I have done nothing but failed him almost continually, and at least daily. He can very easily do without me in his life, and yet he pursues me, forgives me, and sacrificed his son to create a way for me.

I need to start responding better. I need to "own" the presence of God, as Moses told Israel that this memory did not make the covenant "with your fathers" but with them. They were to own it. And God made the new covenant with me. It is time I upheld my end of the bargain.

Prayer: Lord, my God, my master, my redeemer, my father. I own the covenant promise of your grace and salvation. I will seek to uphold your laws, your teachings, and your ways. I will love others as you have loved me. When I fail, I will seek correction and new strength. I am a changed man, different than I once was. Please continue to work on the new heart within me. Amen.