Supplemental Reflections for Lent 2009
(40 Days of Lamentations)
 
Day 20
Our Amazing Covenant
 
“Happy the people who know you, Lord”
(Psalm 89:16a)

March 19
2 Samuel 7:4-16
Psalm 89:2-29
Romans 4:13-24
Matthew 1:16-24

God is great, powerful and awesome. He tamed primeval chaos (Ps 89:11), rules nature (Ps 89:10), and owns the whole universe which He founded (Ps 89:12). No one ranks with Him (Ps 89:7) and no one is like Him (Ps 89:9). Mighty and strong is He (Ps 89:14).

Thus it is just fitting that the “heavens praise (His) marvels” (Ps 89:6a).
 
But what is amazing is that this great and wonderful God enters into covenant with mere human flesh, and in the process blesses and uses them to do great things.

God called Abraham and “made (him the) father of many nations” (Rom 4:17a), despite the fact that he was already very old and his wife Sarah was barren (Rom 4:19). God chose David and anointed him (Ps 89:21), thus empowering him to defeat his enemies and rule over earthly kings (Ps 89:22-28). God raised up Solomon, making his kingdom firm and giving him the privilege of building His house (2 Sm 7:12-13).

God’s covenant endures, despite the shortcomings of His people. God’s covenant assures great blessings. God’s “promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world” (Rom 4:13). God swore to David: “I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.” (Ps 89:5). God assured the most intimate of relationships with Solomon, that “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.” (2 Sm 7:14a).
 
Now here is something even much more amazing. In order to establish His covenant with all of us, and in order to bless us, God raised and used His own Son. The way God did this was to send Jesus into the world by becoming man, born of Mary. God’s intent was for Jesus to “save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21b). Jesus is “‘Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us.’” (Mt 1:23b). Having then won for us our salvation, Jesus remains with us, to the end of the age.
 
What is our proper response to such an awesome God?

Do we do things for Him? Do we try to repay Him?  David wanted to build Him a temple. God said “No!” In fact, God reminded David that it was He who did things for him. “It was I who took you …. I have been with you …. I have destroyed all your enemies …. I will make you famous …. I will fix a place for my people …. I will plant them …. I will give you rest ….” (2 Sm 7:8-11). All is pure grace! All is gift!

We can only marvel at and praise God, as the heavens do (Ps 89:6a).

We can only sing forever of His promises and proclaim His loyalty through all ages (Ps 89:2). We “sing joyfully all the day” (Ps 89:17a).
 
As we rejoice in God, we continue to look to our covenant and hold fast to His promise: “My love is established forever; my loyalty will stand as long as the heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen one” (Ps 89:3-4a).

We continue to look to Him for His “justice and judgment” and His “love and loyalty” (Ps 89:15). We continue to be happy, as we “walk in the radiance of (His) face” (Ps 89:16). We continue to look to His “majestic strength” (Ps 89:18a).
 
It is then right and fitting that we have faith and hope in God. Even in the direst circumstances, with God we can hope “against hope” (Rom 4:18a). We must “not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, (we must be) empowered by faith” (Rom 4:20). We must be “fully convinced that what he had promised he (is) also able to do.” (Rom 4:21).

God’s promise was not just for Abraham, but “it was also for us” (Rom 4:24a). God’s promise is made operative “through the righteousness that comes from faith” (Rom 4:13), as we “believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Rom 4:24).

It is right and fitting that we trust in God’s covenant with us. As with David, we can look to God favoring us. “Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm.” (Ps 89:29).

We must always proclaim, with full trust and confidence, “Truly the Lord is our shield, the Holy One of Israel, our king!” (Ps 89:19).
 

*   *   *
 

The kind of God we have:  Our strength and our shield.
 
Our covenant response:  Have faith and rejoice.
 
Lamentations reflection/action:  Do you think of how much you are serving God, and miss out on how much He has blessed you?
 
Lamentations prayer:  Father, I am awed by your majesty and grandeur. “Lord, God of hosts, who is like you?” (Ps 89:9a). “Yours are the heavens, yours the earth” (Ps 89:12a), but you are mindful of me. You have blessed me tremendously. Jesus, you have even given your very life for me. I truly rejoice. And Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
 
 
(You may also look at the reflection for Day 23 in the book, as the readings are the same as for today.)
 
(You are encouraged to use the book “Forty Days of Lamentations” during this period of Lent 2009. Most of the scripture readings are the same. In case they are not, a supplemental reflection is provided. Let us continue to learn the lessons of Lamentations.)