“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, insomuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” – Hebrews 8:6

Scripture reading: Hebrews 8:6-13

After this tragic incident of the golden calf, Moses the mediator of the Old Testament intercedes on behalf of the people that God would turn His wrath away from this sin. Moses even offered his very own life, when he said: Lord, blot me out of your book! (Ex.32:32).

But the Lord did not answer that prayer… Why? Because God was planning to make a better covenant, with better promises, with a better covenant Mediator, who would be blotted out of God’s book on behalf of his people! His name is Jesus!

Verse 10-12 tells us about this new covenant and its better promises. The Lord promises to give them better hearts. He will write the law in their minds and upon their hearts. That means they will desire obedience to the core of their being. The Lord promises a better relationship with Himself. Everyone from the least to the greatest will know the Lord! Nobody has to tell them, because this relationship is empowered by the Holy Spirit who leads them in all the truth.

The Lord promises better forgiveness. God will show his people mercy! Undeserved! He will no more remember their sins. Of course, God never forgets anything! But, this means that He will no longer bring our sins up to us or hold them against us. When Jesus, the Mediator of the New covenant took the Lord’s Supper cup, He said: This is the blood of the new covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins! Let’s never forget His promises!

Suggestions for prayer

Praise God for such glorious new covenant promises! Thank God for the Lord’s Supper in which we remember these promises. Ask the Lord to write the law more deeply upon your heart.

Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, Ontario. 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.