Covenant Blessed with Favor

Growing up I always wanted a “true blue” best friend.  That person is unwavering, reliable, loyal and who stays committed through thick or thin. 

You know the kind of friend that you can tell everything to, who always agrees with you, and is forever on your side no matter what the situation.  Well … that never happened – the perfect friendship so to speak.  

Sure, I had lots of friends (and still do), a few good buds and even a best-bestie "bff".  However, over the years they changed for some reason or another, drifting in and out of my life.  

Sometimes it was them, other times it was me.  Most often it was merely life’s circumstances that altered the relationships I had throughout the years.  For a while I started getting a complex when people moved and never told me!  After three or four times you start to wonder, right?  Hmmm … was it really me? 

Anyway, not one of them stayed close or ever agreed with everything I said or did, except for my life partner hubby.  He doesn’t go along with me 100% of the time, although he pretty much does for the most part as I do with him.  

It may be disheartening, but it's true for the majority of people.  Basically, friendships change, usually due to circumstances, values or beliefs.

No, there’s only one individual that has walked with me even in times when He hasn’t agreed with my decisions.  That person is Jesus Christ, and our relationship began after I chose to take Him as my Lord and Savior.  In prayer I confessed my sin and repented asking for His forgiveness.

I didn't know a lick about blessings, covenants or favor for that matter.  All I knew is that I didn't want to go to hell and be apart from God forever.

Admitting you’re a sinner isn’t easy, but the reality of it is eye opening and causes you to want to live a more peaceful life.  Since then, the benefits of walking with God have increased as I’ve learned about covenant blessings, He made to those who want to fellowship with Him. It’s pretty amazing!

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Covenant of Favor

If you are not familiar with what a covenant is, it’s basically an agreement between two parties, individuals or groups of people.  There are all kinds of covenants – both good and bad, depending on the terms of agreement(s) or oaths made during the time of its origin.   

Most think of it as a contract of sorts like in signing something for financial purposes, where there is an agreement of lending money for a certain item. In some way that’s correct, only with God it’s much more! 

It is to our benefit that we learn about the Word of God through Godly examples who actually made His promises part of their lives.  They faithfully (obediently) lived what they learned and walked in the favor blessings promised to those who believe.  

You see, God loves us so much that it is His desire to show mercy and favor on those who put their hope, trust and faith in Him no matter the situation.  He even invites us to seek His face so that we can receive such favor through His covenant blessings. 

The Bible describes several individuals who did exactly that, and God granted each of their requests.  Let me show you what I mean where covenants of favor were given and how (or if) they relate to us today.

Jeremiah the Messenger of Hell or Hope

Jeremiah was a prophet of God in the Old Testament scriptures of the Bible.  He tells of a time when he was about to lose his life for preaching the truth about sinful lifestyles.  The entire situation didn’t look good for the nation – truth is … much like what we’re facing today!

From the time he was born, Jeremiah was set apart by God to deliver a message to Judah.  It wasn’t one that would be easy to deliver, and would include a strong warning against the behavior of the nation. 

This is what Jehovah said to him: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9-10)

Jeremiah grew up during a time when God’s covenant was being restored under King Solomon.  He witnessed the tearing down of pagan houses of worship, large altars, pillars, statues and images that exalted false gods over the true God, Jehovah. 

Does any of this sound familiar in comparison to what is happening in our society today?  What have you been witnessing in your neighborhood, city and nation?

As he grew in favor, for a time there was a revival of faith and turning back to the Lord through Jeremiah’s preaching about the covenant of God.  However, through the changes of rulers over the years, the people turned away from the Lord as in the past continually doing evil and worshipping false gods.

This man of God knew his message would not be received with open arms of affection, but could possibly cost him his life.  What the Lord revealed to Jeremiah would tearfully burn in his heart as he prayed daily, and until the time came to deliver the message to the people.

Sometimes God will ask us to do hard things, and such was the case with Jeremiah.  The difference here is that the prophet had a covenant promise that would see him through every obstacle he would encounter.

It was the Lord who chose Jeremiah to warn the nation to repent of their wicked acts of sin in order to avoid a judgment that would surely come upon the entire nation.  The people had broken their covenant with God and persisted in their sins committing unlawful acts, unkindness, lewd behavior.  They were prideful in the way they oppressed or persecuted foreigners, widows, children and the humble.

If they did not repent of their sins, God was explicit in saying what would happen.  His blessings and hand of favor would be lifted off them and their land.  They would face famine, starvation, looting and their entire nation would be destroyed by invaders.  Their life would be a "living hell" that would lead to an eternal life in hell and apart from Him forever!

Are we not seeing history being repeated?  Hasn’t God given us warning of a coming disaster if we do not turn back to Him?

The people did not repent as God said, so destruction came upon those who walked away from their relationship with the Lord.  As in the days of Jeremiah, we too are witnessing the destruction of nations and are under siege of evil where believers are persecuted for preaching the message of salvation, repentance and doing good.

By now Jeremiah was sought out as a criminal even among ungodly priests who wanted him beaten and thrown into prison.  Through pressure the king approved of the arrest for his spreading news of an impending disaster over the people and land.

Upon his apprehension they lowered Jeremiah into the bottom of a muddy cistern with the intent that he would starve to death.  When word got out about what happened, another court official pleaded with the king for permission to rescue the prophet.

There Is Hope 

There was another message that God instructed Jeremiah to deliver.  It was a promise of hope to all who would adhere to his words from the Lord.

Even in the bottom of a pit the words God spoke to Jeremiah remained in his heart.  He remembered the promise of God to save, deliver and be with him to finish the task, and boldly speak out without being afraid of the people coming against him.  God gave him the strength needed to withstand the persecution and a promise that he would not fail.

“I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and deliver you.” (Jeremiah 15:20-21)

The message God spoke through Jeremiah is the same that is being spoken to those who still believe and walk in the covenant blessings of God – repent and return to God!  Judgement is coming but there is still hope!

Scriptures tell us that no one escapes punishment of sin.  The payment for breaking laws has a penalty called death; it could be physical, spiritual or both.  

“For the wages (payment penalty) of sin is death, but the gift of God (hope) is eternal life through believing in Jesus Christ our Lord who saves.”  (from Romans 3:23)

This is where the encouraging message of hope Jeremiah spoke of comes into the covenant of those who turn back to the Lord.  The only way to avoid punishment is through asking God to forgive the sins we have committed against Him.  

God wanted Jeremiah to make sure that the people knew He would not destroy them, but was willing to bless them with favor and spare the nation IF they repented of their sins.  He gave them a way out of being judged or destroyed and being overtaken!

“The instant I speak concerning a nation (any nation) and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.”

“God also speaks of the consequences for those that do not listen to His Words about repenting and turning back to worshipping Him alone.

“The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good (favor and blessings) with which I said would benefit it.” (Jeremiah 18:7-10)

A Message for Today 

The prophet’s message that was given thousands of years ago is still being given today, because the covenant blessings of God are still in effect.  God’s mercy and favor never end, but His blessings will for those who break covenant and fellowship with Him. 

“Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!  Praise His Holy name.  For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime!  (Psalm 30:4 NLT) 

As long as the earth remains God will send people to spread the message of repentance of sin through salvation.  He will always have messengers of hope because He is a loving, merciful, longsuffering God who longs to bless people with the benefits that come with favoring Him over all people, places or things. 

Those who walk away from His blessings are literally asking God to correct, punish and discipline them because they love remaining in their sin.  Do you not realize that from before you were born God’s plans for you were to give you a peaceful life void of evil and a great future full of hope?  There is only one thing standing in the way of that promise and blessing – sin.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD.  Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13) 

God also promises that if any person has a desire to know Him and walk in a loyal relationship of fellowship with Him, He will give them a heart to know Him. He will reveal Himself to that person and be in favored covenant with them. (Jeremiah 24:7) 

Good Overcomes Evil

It looked as if everyone, including the religious leaders had turned against Jeremiah.  That may have been the fact, but Jeremiah remembered his “true blue” relationship with the God who destroys the facts of man with Truth in His promised blessings.

Jeremiah had One person who remained faithful to His covenant partner – Jehovah, Jesus Christ – the One True God.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

In the end of that horrific time and persecution, Jeremiah’s life was spared as a result of favor from God and mankind.  His faith in God and obedience to the Lord in covenant was what saved his life, despite the evil that was going on around him.  During a time of crisis he fulfilled his call to help save Israel from total destruction.

“Did King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah put him (Jeremiah) to death?  Did not the king fear the LORD and plead for the LORD’s favor, and did not the LORD relent concerning the disaster He had pronounced against them? 

We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves (about to commit a huge mistake that will cost us our lives!)” (Jeremiah 26:19 CSB; the entire chapter tells the full account)

The Rest of the Message

If we compare this to our current circumstances, how many have lost their lives recently because of sickness or persecution, and are even questioning their own faith because they’re looking at the world and not to a Savior?  There is great sin happening and God isn’t oblivious to it. 

Like in the days of Jeremiah, we are witnessing the destruction of people and nations fall right before our eyes.  Civilizations have turned from God and seek after evil, looking for ways to harm, kill and destroy anyone and anything in their path not realizing that they are being led by satan himself.

“A thief has only one thing (malicious intent) in mind – he wants to steal, slaughter (kill) and destroy (you).  But I (Jesus) have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect – life in its fullness until you overflow (with blessings). (John 10:10 TPT emphasis mine)

Judgment will come to those who do not seek God’s grace (favor) in forgiveness and repent (turn from their sin). This isn’t what God wants; remember He also said something else.

I have not forgotten the rest of the message God gave to Jeremiah … the message of hope.

If you are doing destructive behavior or causing harm in any way, it isn't God giving you direction or of Him.  You are being deceived by the enemy who wants to destroy the good plans God has for you.  Plans to give you a peaceful future and a good life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Regardless of what’s happening in your life right now or what you have done, look to the only friend that will not turn His back on you – Jesus Christ.  Through His covenant of salvation, He will be with you and provide the strength to fight any situation so that you will not fail. 

God’s Son, Jesus, will save, deliver and be with you always until the end.  This is His covenant promise of blessing and favor to those who share the gospel message of repentance with boldness.  

"Go, therefore and make disciples of the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father  and the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe (obey) all the things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of  the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV)

This is a covenant between "true friends" that God honors.  It’s His blessing promise of favor and the hope found only in the benefits of walking in close fellowship with Him.

Jeremiah 's (the prophet's) Song

Until next time, walk in covenant favor!

“Covenant fellowship has benefits of favor.”

- Jesus Christ

Continue reading part 2 here.

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.

   

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Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.

Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Hub. 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.   

Note: When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.

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