This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many....I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. Mark 14:24, Jeremiah 32:40
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #14: To Bring Us to Faith and Keep Us Faithful. Here, John Piper provides very insightful commentary on the difference between the Old Covenant (made between God and Israel in the Old Testament and based on the law of Moses in the Pentateuch) and the New Covenant (made for believers in Jesus and secured by the shedding of His blood). Piper first defines covenant as "a formal, solemn, and binding agreement" between two parties. He then shares how the Old Covenant was not effective because "it was not accompanied by spiritual transformation." The New Covenant of course is because it is based on the Spirit and this covenant should be seen as "supremely effective" (of course more so than than the Old) - see also 2 Corinthians 3:6. OT prophecies pointed to the New Covenant - see Jeremiah 31:31-34. The New Covenant based on the Spirit is supremely effective because the Spirit is life giving and it brings about heart and life change based on knowledge of and a relationship with Him through study, prayer and other spiritual disciplines. See also Ephesians 2:5 where Paul talks about how we are made "alive together with Christ." God not only gives us faith but He also brings about our obedience such that obedience is not seen as a burden - see also Ephesians 2:8, Romans 1:5, and 1 John 5:3. Piper wraps the devotion by sharing: "When Christ died, he secured for his people not only new hearts but new security. He will not let them turn from him. He will keep them. They will persevere. The blood of the covenant guarantees it." Isn't it amazing how God works? Rejoice!
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My Prayer: Father God, You are amazing indeed! Thank You for not only securing my faithfulness, but also bring about my obedience, and also making it such that I don't see it as a burden....thank You Jesus! I know there is more work to do as my sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
