The Secret Covenant
Gen 17:7, 9-11
“‘I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.’”
“God said further to Abraham, ‘Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.’”
Have you ever thought about this conversation between Abraham and God? I mean, beyond all the natural and somewhat comical responses Abraham could have used such as, “You want me to do what to WHAT!?!?” I am sure Abraham wasn’t too popular with his servants for a week or two after that little conversation with God.
But looking at the conversation, do you see the irony? God tells Abraham to let this be a sign of covenant between you and I. But, I sit and wonder, a sign to whom?
Thinking it over, if I were God, and I wanted everyone to know that I had a covenant with Abraham, I think I would have him tattoo my name on his arm, or forehead. I would want him to place a mark where everyone would see immediately and know. An obvious sign to everyone, “This man is under my protection and covering.”
But not God. No. He chooses to place the mark of his covenant in the one place most unlikely to be seen by anyone. A place of intimacy that only his wife would know and closest family might ever see. However, though the mark of the covenant is hidden, the evidence of the covenant is obvious to all: Wealth beyond measure, a son born in old age, favor and protection.
You can imagine the Canaanites and other inhabitants of the land looking and scratching their heads. Looking at Abraham and wondering. “What is the difference between him and me? What makes him so blessed? I’ve seen the man, and there is nothing special or different about him.”
They couldn’t see.
Behind every mighty man of God, there is a secret covenant. The personal convictions that God has laid upon their heart, that required a cutting away. It never fails. A sacrifice is made. The price is paid.
We often see these men of God standing behind the pulpit, ministering with power and anointing. We see the evidence of the covenant they have with God, but few know the sacrifice and cutting away that was necessary to receive it.
If you long for God’s anointing, deeper revelation or greater intimacy with Him, you will be required to make the secret covenant. To cut things out of your life that may not be obvious to others, but will be a secret sign between you and God.
If you are willing to harken to the voice of God and pay the price, the evidence will be apparent to all; greater anointing, greater authority and power. Most importantly, you will gain an intimacy with God you never knew was available.
“‘I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.’”
“God said further to Abraham, ‘Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.’”
Have you ever thought about this conversation between Abraham and God? I mean, beyond all the natural and somewhat comical responses Abraham could have used such as, “You want me to do what to WHAT!?!?” I am sure Abraham wasn’t too popular with his servants for a week or two after that little conversation with God.
But looking at the conversation, do you see the irony? God tells Abraham to let this be a sign of covenant between you and I. But, I sit and wonder, a sign to whom?
Thinking it over, if I were God, and I wanted everyone to know that I had a covenant with Abraham, I think I would have him tattoo my name on his arm, or forehead. I would want him to place a mark where everyone would see immediately and know. An obvious sign to everyone, “This man is under my protection and covering.”
But not God. No. He chooses to place the mark of his covenant in the one place most unlikely to be seen by anyone. A place of intimacy that only his wife would know and closest family might ever see. However, though the mark of the covenant is hidden, the evidence of the covenant is obvious to all: Wealth beyond measure, a son born in old age, favor and protection.
You can imagine the Canaanites and other inhabitants of the land looking and scratching their heads. Looking at Abraham and wondering. “What is the difference between him and me? What makes him so blessed? I’ve seen the man, and there is nothing special or different about him.”
They couldn’t see.
Behind every mighty man of God, there is a secret covenant. The personal convictions that God has laid upon their heart, that required a cutting away. It never fails. A sacrifice is made. The price is paid.
We often see these men of God standing behind the pulpit, ministering with power and anointing. We see the evidence of the covenant they have with God, but few know the sacrifice and cutting away that was necessary to receive it.
If you long for God’s anointing, deeper revelation or greater intimacy with Him, you will be required to make the secret covenant. To cut things out of your life that may not be obvious to others, but will be a secret sign between you and God.
If you are willing to harken to the voice of God and pay the price, the evidence will be apparent to all; greater anointing, greater authority and power. Most importantly, you will gain an intimacy with God you never knew was available.
1 Comments:
Ken,
Exquisite insight and application...I was challenged
By Anonymous, at Tuesday, November 22, 2005
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