“And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.”” – Genesis 17:9 

Scripture reading: Genesis 17:15-27

We’ve seen how the blessing of covenant is all of God’s grace: “As for Me, My covenant is with you” (Genesis 17:4). But since a covenant is a relationship, it has two sides. There are God’s promises, and there are our responsibilities. “As for you,” God says, “you shall keep my covenant” (Genesis 17:9).

Promises aren’t to be taken for granted, but embraced. And as we believe, we know God also has expectations. He said to Abraham, “Walk before Me and be blameless!” No, we’re not perfect, and it’s not about earning our salvation—Jesus paid it all. But this is how we want to live in the joy of that salvation.

God also warns that it’s possible to break covenant (Genesis 17:14). Those who refuse circumcision—or the circumcision of the heart (Deuteronomy 10:16)—those who live in unbelief and rebellion, trample the Son of God underfoot. That’s serious. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26–31). God is so committed to His covenant and justice that He punished our sin in His beloved Son.

Do you struggle? Have you fallen? Let God’s covenant promises bring you home. Hear these words from the Form for Baptism: “If we through weakness fall into sin, we must not despair of God’s grace, nor use our weakness as an excuse to keep on sinning. Baptism is a seal and totally reliable witness that we have an eternal covenant with God.” Come home. Repent and believe. God delights in mercy. He promised.

Suggestions for prayer

Reflect on how we may take God’s promises for granted. Repent and believe the gospel. Plead God’s promises for yourself and others. Pray for the nations to come in.

Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.