God’s Covenant:
A Covenant – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 15:1-6

Key Verse:  Genesis 15:18

On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates–

Webster reminds us that a covenant is a “solemn and binding agreement…a promise usually under seal between two or more parties for the performance of some action.”  God was willing to form a covenant with Abraham and He does the same thing for us.

            Abraham was struggling to understand God’s promise of a nation.  Abraham and Sarah had never been able to have a child.  In our scripture reading for today, you can read the conversation between God and Abraham about this issue.  Abraham asked God what God could give him that would make a difference in the future generations since he was childless.  At this point God took Abraham outside and pointed to the stars.  God told Abraham that his offspring would be as many as the stars in the sky.  At this promise Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness!

            God gave His word to Abraham; Abraham believed God’s Word and God credited Abraham as righteous.  That is the basis of our relationship with God.  God makes us a promise if we believe Him; He gives us credit for our belief.  Our faith in God and His Word produces in us what we could never obtain on our own: righteousness!  Abraham and God formed their covenant with the sacrifice of animals.  We have a covenant with God through the blood shed on the cross by our Savior Jesus Christ!  Have you entered the covenant?

Father, I believe your promise of forgiveness through the work Jesus did on the cross.  I receive your righteousness that comes from my faith!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.