Preparing for the Promise (Part 4)

COVENANT RELATIONSHIP 

Covenant relationships are essentially those which were never intended to be disrupted any more than the vital relationship between the heart and the lungs is meant to be disrupted.  There is literally life and death at stake in the establishing or breaking of a covenant relationship.  In particular, they refer to those which we hold with our spouses, our families, and yes, even the church.  We live in a day and age whereby all three of these are treated to be as disposable as a dirty diaper.  And in truth, some of these relationships may smell and even appear as such!  Nevertheless, there is blessing found in fighting for and seeking to grow in each and every one of these relationships.  Romans 12:4-5 says this: 

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” 

In Joshua 1:12-18 we see Joshua renewing covenant relationship with the people of Israel. 

Honoring and acknowledging our need for covenant relationship with the body of Christ is essential for stepping into the promises of God. 

He is doing a restorative work in His church in this hour.  And while it’s true that He desires a pure and spotless bride, I do not believe that this is His primary motivation.  The motivation is simply this…Love.  Love for every member who has been rejected, abused, run over, or sinned against in any way, shape or form by His body, the church.  Please understand that a fully restored church is seeing each member within her fully restored so that every joint may supply (Eph 4:11-16) and so that she could therefore function as she was designed to from the very beginning.  The restoration and maintenance of every covenant relationship is ultimately found in this one, our relationship to Christ.  However, if Christ truly is the head of the body, then the rejection of the Body of Christ is the rejection of a large portion of Jesus Himself.  As much as it is up to us, we need to pursue covenant relationship if we are to step into the promise of God in our lives. 

INCREASING FAITH & UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS! 

Finally we see in Joshua chapter 2, that Joshua responds to God’s word to him by secretly sending spies into the Promised Land saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” (v1)  What purpose did it serve?  Let’s look at the report which the spies brought back in Joshua 2:24: 

“Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.” 

First of all they were encouraged.  Their faith was increased by the report that God would indeed do what He said He would do!  Secondly, they were given the opportunity to cooperate with the plan of God, as they received favor from and established covenant relationship with Rahab the harlot, whose name is also to be found in the genealogy of Jesus himself in Matthew chapter 1. 

What is your promise? 

Has God promised to deliver you and your family into a larger home?  Then search it out, look for that house and find out whatever you can about it.  Check out the cost, look into financing, even if (especially if) it seems impossible.  If God can part the waters of the Jordon so that His people can pass through on dry land, how hard is it for Him to provide the miracle you need?!  Do it and you are just as likely to discover that your faith is increased to believe that God will in fact do what He told you He would do.  And you may also find that as you are faithful to search things out He will open up relationships which you did not count on, which will not only benefit you but work to bring glory to Him in the process. 

Do you desire to prepare for the promises which God has spoken to you?  Then start by: 

1.) Receiving the promise, then 

2.) Acknowledge that you will need to labor in cooperation with God’s miraculous provision, 

3.) Pursue and press in to the Word of God, 

4.) Declare the promise and let it change you, and those around you, 

5.) Make provision to go as far as you can, knowing that at some point you will simply need to depend upon God miraculously taking you to the next step, 

6.) Reconnect, nurture, and commit to the covenant relationships in your life, acknowledging that forgiveness will be a large key in this, and finally 

7.) Search out the promise, as much as you are able so that your faith, and the faith of others may be increased. 

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.   

Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.      

Ps 37:4-5 

A harvest of any kind, including the promises of God, will only come to those who prepare to receive it!  May God grant you great grace for the preparation…and abundant joy in the harvest!