July 26, 2009
RAINBOW OF PROMISE IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE
Picture yourself in the medieval days of kings, queens, knights, lords, and ladies. Most people lived within a manor or small village that usually contained a castle, where the king and all his royalty lived, along with smaller huts that usually housed the large peasant families. If the king was a kind and benevolent king, he would make a royal covenant with the people of the manor. This was an unconditional covenant in which the king promised to provide protection and safety from enemies for the loyal and obedient people who lived within the Kingdom.
In our readings this week we read of God, our benevolent King, a royal covenant with Noah, and a rainbow of promises He gives to His children who remain loyal and obedient in His Kingdom of Grace. . Read on…..
RAINBOW OF PROMISE IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE
“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth…. This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”Genesis 9:8-12
God is establishing His Kingdom of Grace. Remember this flood came about because every human being on the face of the earth (with the exception of Noah and his sons) were wicked – not just sinful – but wicked! Yet here God is, not only saving the world, but promising never to destroy it that way again. Why? Certainly not because of the goodness of Noah and his sons (read a bit further to see their escapades). On the contrary, God, in His Grace, saved the world because He loves the world and every single creature and person in it. He also knew His rainbow of Grace would one day come to fulfillment in the person of Christ Jesus through His sacrifice of the cross and the miracle of the empty tomb. And unlike the medieval kings who often went back on their covenants when it no longer benefitted them, God’s promises are forever. He even placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign that the rainbow of promises He gives and the rainbow of benefits we receive by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus will remain forever. It is not just for Noah and his generation, it is for all and forever. . “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 Read on….
RAINBOW OF PROMISE IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name” Ephesians 3:14
As loyal and obedient citizens of God’s Kingdom of Grace we bear the Name of God, with all the rights and privileges the name bears: the glorious riches of Grace, the powerful working of His spirit, the immeasurable benefits that come from being a beloved child of the King.
RAINBOW OF PROMISE IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE
“He went up on a mountainside to pray… Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid” Mark 6:46 &
As a beloved child in God’s kingdom of Grace, we have access to the King anytime we want, day or night, just as His beloved Son Jesus did. And because of His beloved Son Jesus, we also have a guarantee promise of protection from our enemies, sin, death and the power of the devil, so we need not be afraid as long as we are dwelling in His Kingdom of Grace.
What does all this mean for us today? Well for me, as a sinful person who is the recipient of this rainbow of promises, all I can do is get down on my knees every morning and beg “God, have mercy on me a sinner” (Luke 18:13), declare with the rest of the Kingdom dwellers 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty,” ask “Lord, what would you have me do today,” then rise assured that I am forgiven and confident that I carry with me the RAINBOW OF PROMISES that comes from being a part of God’s KINGDOM OF GRACE.
Father, thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to be our Savior so we can live with you forever in Your Kingdom of Grace and reap the benefits of Your rainbow of promises – the most important one being forgiveness of sins. In Jesus name we pray - AMEN
Week ending: July 26, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Genesis 9:8-17
Remember God’s Rainbow of promises every time you see a rainbow in the sky
Tuesday – Psalm Psalm 136:1-9
Oh give thanks unto the Lord our God for He is Good – His mercy endures forever
Wednesday –(Epistle)
Ephesians 3:14-21
God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imaging – the benefits of being Kingdom dwellers
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 6:45-56
In God’s Kingdom of Grace we have Jesus as our Savior, advocate, and Lord – we have nothing to fear
Friday –Count the rainbow of promises God is giving you by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus – the most important being the forgiveness of sins.
Saturday – SHARE God’s rainbow of promise with someone who doesn’t know Jesus
Sunday – Worship together fellow citizens of God’s Kingdom of Grace
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