A New Covenant
This is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Hebrews 8:10
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This is a great passage of freedom—the good news that God has made a new covenant with his people. The old covenant failed because it is beyond our human ability to keep God’s laws. Therefore, God undertook to supply his own Spirit to live within us. He writes his laws in our minds so we will understand them. He writes his words on our hearts so that we will obey them. He frees us from striving to fulfill the letter of the law and draws us into intimate communion with him. This new covenant through our rebirth in Christ Jesus provides a brand new relationship: “everyone, from the least to the greatest” might know him (v. 11). When we realize that God takes the initiative to work within us by his Spirit what is pleasing to him, we can rest from our futile attempt to live the Christian life in our own strength. This is such great news—it doesn’t depend on me! God has forgiven us, cleansed us through the blood of Christ, and given us his Spirit, and he will complete his work in us as we trust in him.
Prayers:
LORD, thank you for the incredible freedom and rest it brings me to realize that through the new covenant in Christ Jesus I can obey you. Thank you for lifting me to intimacy with you through Jesus. Empower me to cling to you, and write your words on my heart. Open the eyes of my heart to see your great work in those who believe.
Quotes:
[If we were to grasp] the full knowledge of what God desires to do for [us]; the assurance that it will be done by an Almighty Power; the being drawn to God Himself in personal surrender, and dependence, and waiting to have it done; all this would make the Covenant the very gate of heaven.
Andrew Murray (1828–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Ezekiel 16:42–17:24; Hebrews 8:1-13; Psalm 106:13-31 and Proverbs 27:7-9.
