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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-03-16, Page 19From the Minister's Study THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988. PAGE 19 God gives us an unconditional covenant BY REV. BONNIE LAMBLE WALTON-BLUEVALE PASTORAL CHARGE In biblical times, the making of a covenant was a very important event in the life of the people of God. There are a number of significant covenants recorded in the Bible. In the Old Testament alone, the word for covenant appears 286 times. Today, we don’t seem to attach as much importance to covenants as did the people of Bible times. I wonder, if I asked you to tell me what a covenant is, whether you would be able to explain it. Kim Mayberry heads Londesboro 4-H club Webster’s dictionary defines co­ venant as “a binding and solemn agreementmadeby twoor more individuals, parties, etc., to do or keep from doing a specified thing.” The key word is ‘binding’. A covenant is to be kept; it must not be broken. What are some examples of covenants? Christian marriage is covenant that a couple makes with each other and with God. Our political leaders are in a kind of covenant relationship with the people who elect them. The people elect the person for a specified BY KATHY VAN BAKEL The first meeting of the Londes- bord “Encounter the Outdoors” club was held on Saturday, March 5 at the home of Sandra Mayberry. The election of officers took place and the results were as follows: President, Kim May­ berry; Vice-President, Denise Hul- ley; Secretary, Kelly Bosman; Press Reporter. Kathy Van Bakel. The leaders are Sandra Mayberry and Nellie Van Bakel. During the meeting members discussed what they wanted to learn in this project, and the impact of humans on the environment. They talked about fires and how to build them. How to cook campfire snacks was discussed and mem­ bers looked at some different ideas and recipes. term of office and the person who takes office makes an oath to serve with honesty and integrity. But pi each of these cases in our society, we see much evidence of broken covenants. Around 40 per cent of marriages do not last. We see a great deal of scandal, conflict of interest and failure to keep one’s word in our elected leaders and also even in our religious leaders as the latest TV evangelist scandal reveals. I think that it is quite common for people of today to think rather cynically of a covenant as a nice but old-fashioned ideal that is no longer practical or attainable. Against this backdrop of modern attitudes, I think it is important to take a good look at the meaning of biblical covenants. One type of covenant is recorded in Genesis 17. It is the promise God makes to an elderly Abraham and Sarahthatthey willhaveachild. To Abraham God said, “My covenant is with you, and you shall be the ancestor of a multitude of na­ tions.” There’s the agreement. And notice that it does not hinge on any condition. It does not say, ‘‘Abraham if you are good and faithful, then you shall be the ancestor of a multitude of na­ tions.” This covenant is uncondi­ tional. There are no strings attached. God will keep the convenantnomatterwhat. Also the convenant just comes to Abraham. There is no mention of Abraham earning or desci ving this convenant. It is simply the gift of a gracious God. Not all the convenants in the Bible are of this type. Some have very clear conditions to be met. But in this case it is clear that some of the time it is the nature of God to enter into convenants with us that depend only on the graciousness and faithfulness of God and not on human merit or goodness. Th rainbow convenant of God wit Noah is another example of such convenant. It doesn’t matter ho\ evilor depraved the human raci might become, God promise never again to send a flood to destroy all flesh. This unconditional convenant with nostrings attached is good news for us. For even though we as human beings have difficulties in keeping our covenants, the pro mise of God will last. In the midst of human failings and broken pro mises there is one thing that wil not fail. God is faithful. God’s wore stands forever. 1 Blyth Christian Reformed Churc _ _ B HIGHWAY . Reformed Church 4, blyth Day of Prayer March 16, Asking God’s Blessings upon world nations, crops, industry and for hischurch Rev. JoeVanDerkooi March 20 Rev. Martra Mobach from Palmerston Sunday School 11:00 a.m. The Church of the “Back to God Hour” and “Faith 20” BacktoGodHour10:30a.m.CKNX,Sunday Faith20 5:00a.m. weekdays, GlobalT.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME Business Di rectory •General Carpentry •Drywall & Taping •Specializing in doors, windows, trim work and cabinets G & RDURA-WELD Farm Machinery Repairs Custom Fabricating PROP. 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