Belonging and Covenant -- Oct 11
He is a faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations... Deuteronomy 7:9 Covenant is not a word we use very often. We talk about the covenant of marriage which describes a relationship of mutual love and commitment. In marriage (which scripture tells us is an illustration of our relationship with God) a man and a woman make a promise to love and be partners in life regardless of the circumstances (for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health...) and do their best to fulfill their vows. In scripture, God is the one who commits himself to us so that we can commit ourselves to him. He loves us first and last with an unconditional love. He chose us to be his people. He is the faithful God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He takes the first step and then we respond. John says, "This is love, not that we loved him, but he loved us and gave us his Son..." (1 John 4). In Jesus we see the unconditional love of God in its ...