INTRODUCTION
Today, God will be opening our mind to understand the relationship between God’s promises and His covenant.
The weight the covenant of God has on His promises are part of the confidence and assurance will have in whatever God has said. ( WHAT IS SAYS HE WILL DO; THAT’S WHAT HE WILL DO THAT IS WHY YOU ARE CALLED JEHOVAH—-TO RI NAA LE SE N JE OLUWA…..)- Malachi 3:6
Promises are what God blesses His children with and the covenant of His faithfulness and righteousness are the unbroken seal and anchor that make the promises unfailing in our lives
Covenant is the string that link promises and fulfillment. The covenant will propel us through a journey into the place of fulfillment of the will of God. Romans 4:20-21
GAINING FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S PROMISES- Psalm 103:17a. The promises of God are demonstration of God steadfast love and mercy to His children.
The promises of God are valid and unfailing- “Praise be to the Lord who has given rest to His people Israel just as He has promised…. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses” (1 Kings 8:56). The promise of God is validated from many pages of the scripture-
- Promise of rest: 1 Kings 8:56 vs Exodus 33:14 /Deut.12:10 / Joshua 22:4 /Jeremiah 6:16 / Heb.4:8 / Matt 11:20. God is not tired of giving us His rest up till today.
- Promise of abiding presence of God-1 Kings 8:57- this is also established and validated by God’s unfailing covenant. His presence guarantee direction, protection, security and preservation. 1 Kings 8:57- ‘’May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us’’. ( 1 Kings 8:57 vs Deut.4:31/ Deut.31:6 / Matt.28:20/ Heb.13:5
- Promise of abudant provisions- Psalm 36:8 Evidence around us year in and out has proven God’s surprise packages for us His children. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food- Psalm 132:15. God has entered into a covenant with us, promising to provide our every need. This Covenant of Provision is backed up by God’s unfailing and unbreakable Word and is accessed by us through faith. Check this too- Psalm 23:2; 63:5; Psalm 65:4; Isaiah 25:6; Jeremiah 31:12,14.
- Provision of Health and wholeness- Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 33:24- No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven. When God say no one, He means no one. His covenant for us distinguishes us from the Egyptians. Neh. 9:21 & Exodus 16:35 say. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. In Malachi 4:2; the scripture speaks healing wings’ vigour and vitality. Matt 8:17 confirm Jesus bore our sickness so its no longer ours. His promises also cover restoration to the sick (James 5:14; Jer. 30:17; 33;6).
COVENANT AND PROMISES- GOD’S SECURED STRATEGY FOR SATISFACTION- Psalm 103:17a.
God’s strategy and secret is revealed in vs 17 of our scripture, this secure our promises in Him
- God’s unchanging love and mercy– The promises of God is covenant-linked and it is eternally. This mean nothing is so strong to alter or change it.
The everlasting nature of God’s loving kindness assures us of His unwavering love and faithfulness. It is not influenced by our performance or circumstances. We can find comfort and security in knowing that His love for us will endure through all seasons of life.
- The Pattern of Generational Blessings:
God’s righteousness extends to children’s children. This highlights the generational impact of living in a covenant relationship with Him. This is seeing in God’s seven folds blessing upon Abraham in Gen 12:1-3 and from their it flow to all seed and heirs in Christ ( Galatians 3:16-17; 29).
Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (cf. Genesis 12:1-3).
Consider these scriptures: four eternal unconditional covenants that He makes. The first one is Genesis 12:1-3. That is unconditional. The second one is Deuteronomy 30:1-10 is unconditional. 2 Samuel 7:10-16 and Jeremiah 31:31-40.
Then there is one that is very conditional and that is Deuteronomy 28:1-68. At the fullest of time Jesus came (Galatians 4:4); in Him who all promises are fulfilled and ratified. ( Luke 24:44; Matt.5:17; 2 Cor.1:19-20). Jesus brought us into this promises ( Ephesians 2:11-13; 2 Pet.1:3-4).
COMMITMENT TO SECURE GOD’S PROMISES- Psalm 103:18
- Walking in the fear of God
- Walking to keep the covenant and its terms
- Walking in obedience with God’s word
When we walk in obedience and keep His covenant, we are creating a legacy of blessing for future generations.
Our faithfulness today has the potential to shape the lives of those who come after us, leading them to experience God’s goodness and righteousness.The psalmist emphasizes that those who fear God, keep His covenant, and obey His precepts are the ones who receive His loving kindness and righteousness. Obedience is beyond a mere legalistic requirement but a response of love and gratitude to God’s grace. It is through our obedience to His Word that we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the fullness of His blessings.