I Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15-16; Colossians 1

“And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul…” 2 Chronicles 15:12

This is a beautiful picture of surrendered lives. Notwithstanding, they have experienced the warning and rebuke of the Lord, but they heeded and came to a place of surrender and corporately seek to covenant with God. They are saying, “Lord, You are going to be first in our lives and heart.” What a precious thing when the children of the Lord come before Him with humility and servant hood and just surrender to His will and ways. This is the place of rest and renewal. This heart seeks, sees and experiences God’s power and work in a special way. It takes two parties to have a covenant, without two in agreement; it would not be a covenant. When we come to Christ we say, “I am committed to you,” and He has proven and stated His commitment to us throughout His Word. In Colossians 1, Paul exhorts believers to continue living in this faithful relationship being grounded and steadfast, not moving away from the hope of the gospel. “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Colossians 1:21-23) Paul fully understood the sacrifice of Christian living but He also did not want to go back to the old life of living under the burden of the law. Sadly, the children of Israel, although covenant makers in 2 Chronicles 15, do not take long to return to their sinful and rebellious ways. But we, dear children in the faith, we have hope in Christ who has given us the power to keep this faithful covenant relationship with Him. “But thanks [be] to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Be blessed today!
Carol

Next Reading: I Kings 17-19; Colossians 2