And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 16:62, 63.
Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out.—The Desire of Ages, 834.
God will not break His covenant, nor alter the thing that has gone out of His lips. His word will stand fast forever, as unalterable as His throne. At the judgment, this covenant will be brought forth, plainly written with the finger of God; and the world will be arraigned before the bar of Infinite Justice to receive sentence.—Prophets and Kings, 187.
For the disheartened there is a sure remedy,—faith, prayer, work. Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day. Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands.—Prophets and Kings, 164.
With God at Dawn p. 66
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my baby granddaughter. She vomits too much and is not gaining weight. Ann
—-David is in one of his depressive spells. Please pray for him and for his family. Buck
—-Please pray for Shawnacee who has not much time to live. Vanessa
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Dear Friends,
When Esther was studying at the Amazing Facts field school (the forerunner of AFCOE) she had an experience during a Bible study she was conducting that was a little embarrassing, but upon reflection is so true. She was very tired as she had many Bible studies each week in addition to her classwork. As they were sitting around the table ready for the study, Esther started to pray. In her tired state, she prayed, “Dear Father, please bless us as we partake of this food….” As soon as she said that, she knew what she had done. So often God is merciful to us when we get ourselves into awkward situations. He brought to her mind a completion to the prayer that really impressed the lady she was studying with. She continued, “….from Your Holy Word. Let it strengthen and nourish us in Your righteousness……”
Gaye Linn, her Bible study, commented that she had never before thought of God’s Word as food for the soul. She really liked this illustration and felt the need to spend as much time studying the Bible as she spent eating. She told Esther that from that prayer she suddenly realized that just as we need to chew our food well for good digestion, so we need to spend time meditating on God’s Word so we may assimilate the message God has for us as we study.
Jeremiah exclaimed, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David sang a song about this very subject that you may have sung too, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11
Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12 This should be true of us as well. God’s Word should be more important to us than anything. Through God’s Word we can understand who we are and where we are going. The Scriptures show us that we have a God Who loves us more than we can even begin to understand. It possesses all of the answers to all of life’s questions. May we take the time daily to study to “show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15
Rose