God Carries the Covenant
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Sunday Reflection
Read Andrea Seale’s reflection, titled, “The Promise that Rests on Grace” from Sunday’s worship service. You’ll find it in the Sunday Reflections blog.
Scripture: Romans 4:13 – 25
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
Sometimes, when I read too many stories or watch too many videos that tell the worst of the world’s stories, I sink into that dark place of lament that cries out to God to do something – to change things, to fix things, to correct things. I despair over this world; I breathe out hope until I’m empty. The evils of the world are too big; the prowling monsters are too strong. And my God has become too small and too weak.
It’s easy to forget that God is bigger than the worst evil and stronger than the most vicious monster. He becomes, when we forget Him, a gentle creature with limited power to grant wishes – a genie of sorts. He becomes a creature – created – we can just as easily do without.
But this impotent, reduced divinity is not God. God spoke and the world was created. God breathed and life was given. With a word God condemned the earth to a flood of destruction. With another word God bound Godself to humanity, promising never again to rain down such destruction. God sits enthroned over all creation, over angels and demons alike, all-powerful, eternal, and faithful.
Abraham knew this God. Abraham met this God – had a conversation with this God. This is the God who promised Abraham descendants who would bless the nations of the world. This is the God before whom Abraham and Sarah’s advanced age – their bodies “as good as dead” (Rom 4:19) – was nothing when it came to keeping His promise. And Abraham knew it. That is why Abraham believed God’s promise. And in the believing, Abraham was honoured by God – called righteous by God.
On Sunday we will be invited to reflect on this incredible relationship between Abraham and God. We will be reminded that the entirety of God’s covenant with us rests on God who is big enough and strong enough to carry it for both of us, and who loves us enough to do exactly that – carry both sides of the covenant so our weakness, faithlessness, despair… never puts it at risk.
As you prepare for Sunday remember God’s greatness, majesty, and power. Perhaps spend some time slowly reading Psalm 34, inviting God to convince you of the truth of its words.