We sign agreements off and on throughout our lives. Sometimes it is a lease for a place to live. Maybe it is a gym membership that you started last year in January and used for about a month and then rarely after that. Whatever the case was, you would get a renewal notice at the end of the contract that you have to decide what your actions will be going forward. You can either get out of the agreement or you can continue the agreement and agree to the terms/cost of the agreement.
God made a covenant with Abram. It talks about this covenant in Genesis 15:1-20. Verse one says “After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be great.” The vision’s content contained a command (Do not be afraid), an assurance (I am your shield) and a promise (your reward will be very great). Abram had his doubts about the value in this since he was childless, so if he had any reward, he would not have any descendants to pass it on to. God reassured him that he would have offspring of his own. Abram believed God, which God felt was righteous, so He continued to “draw up” the agreement.
Abram was told to bring Him a three year old cow, a three year old female goat, a three year old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon. Abram did this and then split them down the middle and laid the pieces across from each other. God told Abram about the land that his ancestors would receive, but also the fact that they would be held in slavery for 400 years.
What would you do if God asked you to do something that would result in rewards for future generations that you will never see? He does, however, want a covenant between us and Him throughout our lives. He tells us not to be afraid. He assures us that He will always be with us. Our ultimate reward is eternal life with Him.
If you read on into chapters 16 and 17, you will find out that Abram slips up and goes his own way instead of following God’s direction.. We do that all the time where we do our will instead of God’s. God gives Abram another chance, but not without a cost.. He renews His covenant with Abram and gives him a new name, Abraham.(meaning Father of a Multitude). Abraham and all of his descendant males would be circumcised as a sign of the covenant. God gives us another chance all of the time as well.
As a New Year’s resolution, we should renew our covenant with God. We should renew our trust in His will compared to our will. Just as in Abram’s case, God does not promise a perfect life, but will promises to never leave us and to protect us. Our rewards for following His will are evident in many parts of our lives everyday if we just are aware of them. We should be thankful every day for the blessings He bestows upon us.
Just as if we received a renewal notification in the mail, we need to choose to continue the agreement or to end it.. Personally, I choose to renew my covenant with my Lord. I hope you will decide to do the same.
Have a Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year!
Thomas
