King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Better Covenant
Date: Tuesday August 23, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 31-33, Proverb 23, Psalm 74
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-23

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;.. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:..But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises...For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 8:1,4,6,10-12.

A covenant is an agreement, a legal document so to speak between two people, it is written down, sealed, and executed just as the agreement was made. Should one fail to follow through with the agreement there is usually a price to pay for breaking it. When God created the world He made a covenant with Adam and Eve, “You are free to enjoy everything here, except one tree, stay away from it or you die.” Of course, we all know that Eve was tempted by Satan, ate the fruit, then gave it to Adam, and from that moment on the covenant between God and man was broken and the price they paid for sin was passed down to all of us. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” - Romans 5:12.

God decided to make a way for the covenant to be reconciled, first, He chose some people, Israel, then He made a new agreement with them, “Obey my commands and I will be your God and you will be my people, and there is nothing I will not do for you.” Of course, we all know that Israel broke that covenant time and time again, but God never broke the covenant Himself, always promising to keep them a nation. “(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” -Deuteronomy 4:31.

God knew all the way back when Adam and Eve sinned that no covenant between Him and man would be foolproof, that is until now. Every covenant made and broken by God and man was a foreshadow of Jesus Christ, who would became a better covenant, one that was foolproof and one that would truly reconcile God and man. “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” - II Corinthians 5:19.

Through Jeremiah God reconfirms His promise to the remnant of Jews being carried into Babylon as well as the ones who were scattered all over the world. “At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest...Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.” - Jeremiah 31:1,2,10-12.

This promise is not only for the believing Jews, but all who believe in the Shepherd, Jesus is our shepherd, He knows who are His, He is always watching over us, keeping us out of harms way, or directing us out of our troubles. One day we will no longer have to deal with Satan, sin, suffering, or pain, but until then there is nothing Jesus would not do for us, after all, He laid down His life for us. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” - John 10:14-16.

Through God, Jeremiah continues to assure the remnant of Jews that God has not forsaken them, that He has not forgotten His covenant with them, and that they will one day return to the promised land. “And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” - Jeremiah 32:36-40.

The everlasting covenant, the agreement that would replace the need for endless sacrifices to be reconciled with God. The everlasting covenant, the seal that would never be removed from the remnant who seek to be reconciled with God. The everlasting covenant, the better covenant that would save all who believe, the promise of eternal life, which is only made possible through Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for all. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:8-10.

Anyone can be a part of the remnant that God signs His name to, anyone can receive the everlasting covenant, we just have to believe then receive it. The only way to receive it is by asking Jesus to give it to you. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for the covenant that You made with me for believing in Your Son and accepting Him in my life. It is sad to learn that a large majority of people build their hopes and dreams on that which will pass away, but we who believe in Your Son build our lives on the better covenant which will be completely fulfilled as we cross over to the Promised Land. How wonderful to know that You save to the uttermost and no one will be denied a place in heaven who comes to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus for laying down Your life for me and giving me eternal life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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