The Covenant of God for Life

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject: The Covenant of God for Life

The Covenant of God for Life

Scripture:

Thus also said God to Noe, and to his sons with him: Behold I will establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you: And with every living soul that is with you, as well in all birds, as in cattle and beasts of the earth, that are come forth out of the ark, and in all the beasts of the earth. I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood, neither shall there be from henceforth a flood to waste the earth. And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me and between the earth. And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds: And I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that bears flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:8-15)

Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit, In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison: Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. Where unto baptism, being of the like form, now saves you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but, the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Who is on the right hand of God, swallowing down death that we might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him. (1 Peter 3:18-22)

And immediately the Spirit drove him out into the desert. And he was in the desert forty days and forty nights, and was tempted by Satan. And he was with beasts: and the angels ministered to him. And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came in Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying: The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel: (Mark 1:12-15)

Reflection:

The sin of the children of His creation has brought great sadness and disappointment to Him. To each He offers love and love He asks in return; yet, as we navigate the world, we are led astray by the temptations of evil. It is within His power to remove us from His creation, but because of His love, His desire instead is for our salvation.

His covenant is to sustain the life of our souls from the time before we were formed in the womb; but, it is not a covenant He forces upon us. He has left the choice to us whether to accept Him, but how is it so many fail to understand His grace, His mercy, His perfection? How is it that so many are deceived by the ways of the world and wander from the blessings of His love?

Though He came to free us, we allow ourselves to be imprisoned. We are seduced by ill formed logic. We are beguiled by split tongues. We are lured by false smiles. We are snared by empty pleasures. We fall to the temptations of the world, failing to understand that at our own hands we allow life to slip from our souls. Left to ourselves and the paths of our sin, our surest end is death; but through the sacrifice of One, we all have hope.

He has sent angels and prophets to minister to us, but for our salvation, He sent the One who would conquer death so that all might live if they turn to Him and accept the hand of His salvation. In prayer, we should offer thanks and praise for what the just has done for the unjust so that those who would parish need not parish but may be purified of the weakness of their souls.

The world confounds us for we do not allow ourselves time to immerse ourselves in Him. We concern ourselves with the toils of the day, the empty pleasures of the moment; but we fail to understand of what we deprive ourselves when we deprive ourselves of Him.

If we but open our heart, His joy will fill us. If we are hurting, if we face tribulation; He will sustain us if we ask in prayer for His help. When we need comfort, He will hold us, but we can only obtain that for what we reach. If we isolate ourselves from Him, we fill ourselves only with that which is empty.

Blessed are we when we seek time with Him in prayer, for in those moments, we take time out from the world and open ourselves to Him. At times, we should seek Him alone, for in those moments we are able to offer to Him our undivided attention. At times, we should seek Him in community, for in those movements, we join in the communion of His creation.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier