February 12 ~ John 17:11-12
Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name that you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one. While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost, except the one who had to be lost. This happened so that what the Scriptures say would come true.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When two people marry, they make a covenant to love, honor, and cherish each other… in sickness, health, for richer, poorer. They agree to stick together no matter what and to work through all of the joys and challenges of life together. In some neighborhoods, there is a “covenant” – an agreement that the neighbors will all follow a set of rules. For instance, in my neighborhood, the “covenant” says that we cannot erect a separate outbuilding – like a storage shed – on our property.
Throughout your life, you will probably have several “covenants,” but none will be as significant as your covenant with God through Jesus Christ. If you have invited Jesus into your heart to be the Lord of your life, you are assured of this covenant. Because of Jesus, we Christians can be confident that we are saved by His power. He stands in the gap for us with God… our debts have all been paid. We can freely ask God for anything, knowing that He will answer… according to His will.
Does this mean we will never have an accident and suffer physical injury? No… this is a different kind of “safety.” Does this mean we can ask God for anything we want and expect to get it? Only if God feels our request is truly in our best interest and helps to accomplish His plans. What it DOES mean is that God is always with us… that no matter what we are going through, He is there to guide and protect us. It means that, because of Jesus, we are promised a place in Heaven for all of eternity.
Truly this is the only covenant that matters. If you have not made a covenant with God through Jesus Christ, I encourage you to do just that today. Ask Jesus to stand in the gap for you with our Heavenly Father. Invite Him to bring His Holy Spirit to live in your heart, and rest in the knowledge and safety of a covenant with Him… and all of the blessings and protection that come with it.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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