TEXT: Leviticus 26:9 – ‘I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you (NIV).
Brethren, I would like to congratulate you for an opportunity to be a partaker of this theme for the month of May (Covenant keeping God) because I believe that it would mark a landmark in your life. We often need to continually assure ourselves of the God that we serve. God, because He is our creator knows the frame of which we are made and that is why through all ages, He would always remind and enjoin His people never to forget who He is.
In Gen. 17: 9 we read “Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come” (NIV). In order that they may not forget the covenant He told Abraham in Gen. 17: 11 “You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you” (NIV). With circumcision of the male child in Israel, it became a constant reminder of the covenant between them and God. Unfortunately, in spite of this, we found that whenever the children of Israel are faced with challenges they often forget the covenant that God entered with them. No wonder each leader that Israel had would always ensure that they establish a landmark that would remind the generation they are leading and those that would come after them of the faithfulness of God to His covenant with their forefathers.
Let us look at examples of men of old in the bible who ensured that they put in place landmark as a memorial of the faithfulness of God to His covenant with the children of Israel. In Genesis “Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it” (NIV). This became a reference point for him about God’s covenant with his forefathers through Abraham. Similarly, when the children of Israel crossed river Jordan miraculously we are told that “Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. And they are there to this day” (Joshua 4:9). Also, when the children of Israel defeated their arch enemy (the Philistines), we were told “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us” (NIV). These are just a few examples of how the patriarchs of old have been able to stand on the covenant of God that have never failed.
What can we learn from this?
1. Always remember that the God that we serve is the ancient of days and He is described as eternal God (Gen.21:33) and that He cannot change. In Heb. 13: 8, the bible tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV). This means that just as He was faithful to His covenant in the past, He would be faithful to the fulfilment of the same covenant with you if you are indeed a descendant of Abraham by adoption (through giving your life to Jesus Christ). That is why you must ensure that you have truly given your life to Jesus. To benefit from this promise you must be a bonafide child of the true God.
2. Never forget how God has come to your rescue in the past, even when you have lost all hope. Can you recall the many accidents that you have miraculously been saved from? Can you remember many deliverance from the enemies? Can you remember many times He has taken away those things that could have caused you shame? Can you remember many times that he has miraculously provided for you? Can you remember how many times He has healed you from your diseases and sickness? Can you remember how many times he has miraculously met your needs? Can you remember how many times He has delivered you from oppositions? Brethren, the list are endless. For each of these, you need to establish a physical landmark that you can always refer to whenever you are faced with any other challenge. This would encourage you to take it to the Lord again.
Brethren, you may not be able to explain how God is going to resolve the present problem, but you must believe that if He can do it in the past, He can still do it again. I believe God with you that concerning that fear of yours that the Lord would show Himself strong in Jesus name.
Shalom
Dr. Yinka Okude
Pastor-in-Charge
RCCG Jesus sanctuary, Northampton
