Today’s Key Scripture

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.”                                                                                                                      — 1 Peter 3:12

Most people living in the West have little concept of what it means to make a blood covenant. Being born in the Middle East, I can tell you that vows made between individuals are the glue that holds society together in many parts of the world. They are even stronger than laws made by governments.

I recall the time my father entered into a covenant with Mr. Hanna, a man who lived with his family on the top floor of our three-story house in Jaffa, Israel. I was only a young boy at the time, and Mr. Hanna was like a second father to me.

For this kind of covenant, some people will also sign a written agreement that says, “If you are unable to provide for your children, I will become a father to them and sustain them. If you become ill or die, I will be responsible for the well-being of your family. Anyone who harms you, harms me.”

To millions of individuals today, covenants are more than a legal agreement. They are vows sealed in blood that must never be broken.

As a believer, you are in a blood-bought covenant relationship with God, as Scripture says:

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? (Romans 8:31-33, msg)

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I thank You for my covenant relationship with You, bought by the death, burial, and resurrection of my precious Jesus. I magnify Your name, because You never fail to keep Your promises. I want to know You better. I want to spend more time with You. I want to listen better. I commit to setting aside time during prayer to not only make requests but also to just be still and hear what You are saying. Be glorified today through my thoughts, words, and deeds as I spend intimate time with You. I pray this in Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

 

All references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.