JANUARY 24 AN EVERLASTING COVENANT

 

Paul compared the Old Covenant to Abraham's son, Ishmael, because it was dependent upon the flesh.  He compared the New Covenant to Isaac because it is based upon faith and the quickening power of the Holy Spirit:

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants...Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise...So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.  (Galatians 4, portions of verses 22-24,28,31)

God told Abraham that his promised seed would come through Isaac.  We are children of promise because we are the spiritual seed of Abraham and Isaac, birthed by the Spirit and not by the flesh.

God gave Abraham the title deed to the land of Israel forever (Genesis 17:8).  Oh, if Israel had only comprehended this promise! They never would have halted at the border of their Promised Land.  They would not have feared, doubted, or been turned back to wilderness wandering. The land was to be theirs forever!

While there is prophetic meaning in this promise to Israel, there is also a spiritual application to believers.  In Genesis 13:17, God commanded Abraham to “Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.”    God is saying to us, “Don’t limit me!  Get up, walk through your spiritual inheritance–the length and breadth of it.  I have given it to you!”

One of the most powerful declarations in this passage is that this covenant was established between God, Abraham, and his seed as an everlasting covenant:

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (Genesis 17:7)

God declared that He would “...be a God unto thee, and unto thy seed after thee.”  This is an everlasting covenant--meaning the covenant did not end with the death of Abraham.  It did not cease with the death of Isaac.  It was not voided when Jacob passed on.   In fact, it was repeatedly reconfirmed down through the years.  It is an eternal covenant, confirmed finally--once and for all--by the blood of Jesus Christ.

God's promises didn't die with Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob.  They are extended to you through Jesus Christ.  Rise up spiritually and walk through the land of your destiny.  God has given it to you!