CHRIST OUR COVENANT
"Although my house be not so with God; yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow." (II Samuel 23:5)
David's words in the time of his death reveal much as to what a believer's comfort is at all times. David was a king and a prophet. He did great and mighty things by the power of God. He was a man after God's own heart. Yet, with all he did, it was all marred and polluted by sin. He was also an adulterer, a murderer, and a sinner in heart. There was no comfort in himself, in what he'd done or in his circumstances around him. How could he live or die in peace?
His comfort was in the covenant. It was in the pledge and covenant of God who does not lie or change. God's covenant with His people is an "everlasting covenant." It was made before David ever breathed his first breath and God included and ordered all things pertaining to the salvation of David the sinner. His comfort was in the fact that God has already made this covenant of His grace and mercy "sure" in One who stood as the Surety of it, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the promise of God to save and bless His people placing all the securing of it into the hands of the Mediator of the Covenant, Christ Jesus. David, like every true believer did not cease to grieve over his sins; but above that, he was enabled by the Spirit of God to rejoice and find comfort in His Savior. Like David, the covenant people of God find in this covenant all their salvation. Finding all, they want no more and need no more. God is perfectly satisfied and we are perfectly satisfied; all in the same God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the Sheep, in the blood of the everlasting covenant. By the blood of the Lamb, the covenant is confirmed (Dan. 9:26) and all things pertaining to our salvation is secured. This is all the believer's desire. Christ is our desire for God has said of His holy One, "I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people." (Isa. 49:8) Christ is the Covenant and God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Him. He alone at any and all time is our comfort. Covenant comfort!
Gary Shepard
Your attitude and personality in the house of the Lord and around believers is no indication at all of the presence of grace and faith in your soul. But rather your attitude and personality in your own house and toward your own family reveal your true self. I Timothy 5:8 says, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." This does not only apply to food and clothing, but to love, understanding, kindness and spiritual example. Actually, I had much rather have the approval and testimony of those with whom I live for they see me and hear me in unguarded and unfeigned moments.
Scott Richardson
"For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:20)
Someone said, "We have listened to the preacher; truth by him has now been shown; but we need a greater teacher from the everlasting throne. Application is the work of God alone." Our tirades, denunciations, arguments, and demands will never change one heart, bring one sinner to Christ, nor motivate one believer to greater commitment and service. It is still and always has been, "The love of Christ that constraineth me," and "The servant of the Lord must not strive (be quarrelsome) but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient." (II Tim. 2:24)
Henry Mahan
Christ did not die for any upon condition, if they do believe; but He died for all God's elect, that they should believe.
John Owen
When Christ entered into Jerusalem, the people spread their garments in the way. When He enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness and not only lay it under Christ's feet, but even trample on it ourselves.
Augustus Toplady
"Grow in grace & knowledge." These two things are like Siamese twins, inseparable and always growing together.
GS
CHRIST CRUCIFIED!
Christ crucified! Let God be praised,
Who came in flesh, a Man of days;
And in His body on the cross
There died to save from Adam’s loss.
Christ crucified! The Woman’s Seed
Passover Lamb, His blood to plead
His people from their sins to save
From hell and death and from the grave.
Christ crucified! God’s wisdom known
His holiness and love now shown.
His mercy, truth and righteousness
In Him now meet and sweetly kiss.
Christ crucified! Has always been
My All before the world began.
He as my Head stood in my place
In everlasting cov’nant grace.
Christ crucified! The Gospel cry!
Good news for sinners such as I!
And since He made me hear and see
This One, this work, is all my plea.
Christ crucified! His blood applied
By God and conscience justified.
When death shall bring its ebbing tide
My vessel this: Christ crucified!
88.88 (Just As I Am)
Gary Shepard
