WHAT A LASTING COVENANT!

Dearly Beloved, WHAT A LASTING COVENANT! “The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: ‘I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I shall teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore’” (Psalm 132:11-12 NKJV). “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.” This is a popular saying attributed to William Carey. It described best the situation of King David when he wanted to build a befitting house for the Ark of the Covenant that symbolized the presence of God with the people of Israel (see 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). Although, God did not allow him to achieve this feat, nevertheless, God promised that his son that would reign after him would carry out the project. God made more promises to David that included a covenant that his descendants would rule forever. This covenant is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the promised Son of David (see 2 Samuel 7:15-16; Matthew 1:1; Romans 1:3; Revelation 22:16). David indeed got greater things than what he expected from God as he attempted great thing for God. Solomon, the son of David who reigned after him, started and completed the building of a befitting temple for God in Jerusalem. Many people believe that Solomon composed Psalm 132 to be sung at the dedication of the temple. He beseeched God to remember the afflictions of his father, David. He reminded God that it was David that originally had the intention of building the temple (verses 1-5). He recalled how the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines and later found in the fields near Kiriath-Jearim (verse 6, see 1 Samuel 6). David later brought the ark to Jerusalem, the seat of power (see 2 Samuel 6). The people yearned to go and worship God by this ark (verses 7-9). As David planned to build a befitting place for the Ark, and God hindered him from doing so, God made a lasting covenant with him and his descendants (verses 11-12). Verses 11 to 18 record the contents of this covenant: descendants of David would be ruling; Jerusalem has been chosen as a dwelling place for God; blessings and provisions would abound; there would be deliverance and joy; the dynasty of David would be firmly established; and David’s enemies would be put to shame. It is interesting to note that God promised not to turn away from this covenant, though He put a condition there that if the descendants of David would keep the covenant (see verses 11-12). God fulfilled all the promises in the covenant in spite of the fact that Solomon and other descendants of David later breached the covenant. God fulfilled the covenant in the life of Jesus Christ when He (Jesus) was on earth, and the covenant will be ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ when He (Jesus) will reign supremely over the whole universe at His second coming. Believers in Christ are enjoying the ingredients of this covenant now. They will ultimately enjoy the covenant when they reign with Jesus Christ at His second coming. What a lasting covenant! Do you want to enjoy this lasting covenant? Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Obey Him and consciously keep His commands. Do great exploits for God, and He will do greater things for you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you always obey God’s commands so as to enjoy His covenant for your life.