This post, by Andrea Seale, is a reflection on the God Carries the Covenant sermon from Feb. 28, 2021.
I have always loved this verse: Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6).
As a high school student at Emmanuel High School in Montreal, I was required to memorize this verse. It was one of the shorter ones we had to recall (along with “Jesus wept”) and it is one that has stuck with me through the years. It is a source of comfort, not only when I feel my cup is full with faith, but also when it has been empty. I rely on the fact that when belief in the Lord — His abilities, and love for us — is true and active in my life, it leaves me right standing with God.
In reading today’s Scripture I love the fact that the New Living Translation (NLT) starts with the word clearly.
“Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith” (Romans 4:13).
I wonder why, at times, it is not so clear for me?
But after the clearly, there is the word so.
“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift” (Romans 4:16).
For me, this means that I can go to Him without the worry of non-acceptance; the door is always open; the slate is always clean.
While listening to Elaine’s sermon, this hymn came to mind: Grace Greater than our Sin, by Julia H. Johnston (1911). The chorus rings so true…and leave me in awe of God’s grace and the fact that He would freely give it.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured —
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Sin and despair like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater — yes, grace untold —
Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
All who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?