Prayer: Father, how long if “forever” in Your Kingdom? Teach me today the meaning of “forever” in You Kingdom. Amen.
Reading: 1 Chronicles 16 key: vs. 14-18 “He is Adonai our God; His judgments are in all the earth. Remember His covenant forever, the word that He commanded for a thousand generations— that He made with Abraham, swore to Isaac, and confirmed in a decree with Jacob to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying: “To you I give the land of Canaan as your allotted inheritance.” TLV
Attention: If you are conflicted with empathies for Palestine, I encourage to read the Old Testament and in particular the covenant which Adonai made with Abraham. Not only does God command the Jewish nation of Israel to “Remember His covenant forever” but the Holy Spirit through the writer establishes this covenant as a “forever” covenant. The writer records that “He commanded for a thousand generations.” Even if we use forty years as a generational mark, that would translate into forty thousand years. Regardless, forever is forever!
Do you understand what was established in the covenant with Abraham? God promised the nation which came from Abraham’s seed, a land which would be theirs forever. They lost that land through their disobedience to God. But, if God promised the land to be a “forever” land, He was going to need to get the land back into their possession.
On May 14, 1948, Israel was declared a nation. You can read about it by searching the internet. What God had given to Israel, was returned to them that day. What is being played out in the Middle East today is a battle between family members born by Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael.
God’s protection will remain on His covenant people. He promised and fulfilled His promise. What tiny nation could prevail against the onslaught of evil (Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, etc.) unless Adonai was with them.
The writer of Chronicles 16 is reminding the nation of Israel of God’s commitment and faithfulness. As Greeks, we are allowed to listen in on the conversation of covenant between God and Israel. We need to put into context the covenant promise of “forever” into our belief system. Forever extends well beyond today. Understanding forever will change our heart towards Adonai’s covenant people and land.
Action: I choose to support Israel and pray for all the peoples of all the nations who oppose them.
Yield: I choose to embrace the “forever” nature of God’s covenant with Israel.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in embracing a “forever” covenant.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate, obedient, forever relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Word which reminds us of Your forever nature. Your promises are true. Your faithfulness is everlasting and eternal. Amen.
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 “For Ben-Elohim—Yeshua the Messiah, who was proclaimed among you by us, by myself and Silvanus and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No.” Rather, in Him it has always been “Yes.” For in Him all the promises of God are “Yes.” Therefore also through Him is the “Amen” by us, to the glory of God.” TLV
Music Video: Chris Tomlin—Yes and Amen https://youtu.be/jqlQIJWIT5o?si=RkdI9Rikcw6Q4Szk
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”