THE POWER OF THE COVENANT PART I

Ezekiel 17:19
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "As I live, surely My oath which he despised and My covenant which he broke, I will inflict on his head.

A covenant is defined as an “agreement, deed or legal contract.” When God made His covenant with Abraham, the contract was for Abraham “and” his descendants. They were bound by the same agreement as Abraham, for all generations. In the Bible, God reaffirmed the covenant with Isaac, Abraham’s son; Jacob, Isaac's son and so on and so forth. The covenant can not be abolished and all parties are held accountable to the terms agreed. God made it perfectly clear about the length of the covenant:

"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8"I will give to you and to your descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:7)

What was the agreement? God would bless Abraham, increase his wealth, make him into a great nation in exchange for his faithfulness. God would become his God and Abraham’s descendants would become God’s people. Any breaches of the contract, would bring judgement from God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others were faithful, but because the covenant extended to the nation as a whole and to all their descendants, who were not faithful, Israel as a nation was judged over and over.

Most nations of the world do not receive God’s judgement with the frequency and ferocity that of Israel. This is because these nations had not made a covenant with God. Although many of these nations were sinful and even atheistic, God’s judgment would appear to fall on most individually instead of corporately as a nation.

There was one nation, however, that followed the pattern of Israel and entered into a covenant with the God of the universe, pledging to make Him their God and themselves His people. Time and again, this nation inexplicably tied their fate to the God of the Bible. The nation, although far from perfect, sought to establish a country with God at its helm. This country was the United States Of America.

After the discovery of North America, many people fled from England and Europe, seeking to escape religious persecution. Many colonies of New England were dubbed “plantations of religion”. Although some came for the vast opportunities the new world offered, most came to expand the church of God without fear of reprisal by those who did not agree with their beliefs.

Protestants, Catholics and Nonconformists alike, came to America for a fresh start to worship as they pleased. In the 1620s, the Puritans migrated to New England, fleeing the growing persecution from the Church of England. The Puritans were soon followed by Quakers, Mennonites, Anglicans and Jews. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, quotes such as these were documented:

“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.” - Benjamin Franklin, Signer of the Declaration Of Independence, Signer of the Constitution, Governor of Pennsylvania, Diplomat, Printer and Scientist

Called on the entire state to pray “that universal happiness may be established in the world [and] that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole earth be filled with His glory.” - John Hancock, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of Congress, Revolutionary General and Governor of Massachusetts

“Being a Christian… is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast” - Patrick Henry, Revolutionary General, Legislator, “The Voice Of Liberty”; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution,
Governor of Virginia.

“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.” Thomas Jefferson, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Diplomat, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, Third President of The United States.

“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.” - Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Surgeon General of the Continental Army, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, Father of American Medicine, Treasurer of the U.S. Mint and Father of Public Schools under the Constitution.

Our American history is overflowing with proclamations such as these. Religious freedom was the overriding force that beckoned all those who yearned to be free, to flee to the American colonies. Christianity was the prevailing religion and its thread is woven throughout our founding and history.

THE POWER OF THE COVENANT PART II

It was faith in the God of the Bible the drove the colonist to fight against all odds and win their freedom in the Revolutionary War.

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." - Patrick Henry. Speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, May, 1765

After defeating the British, the Founding Fathers worked tirelessly to form a new government. They created a government like no other; one ruled “by the people, for the people”. They drew up a Constitution to govern and a Bill of Rights that outlined rights given to Americans by God. On April 30, 1789, the House and Senate met for the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the newly formed United States of America.

In his Inauguration Address, Washington gave a prophetic warning: “We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and the right which heaven itself has ordained.” Washington warned that if we as a nation would begin to depart from God, He would remove His blessings, His prosperity and His protection from our nation.

After his address, Washington, the House, the Senate, and rest of the newly formed government, traveled on foot to Saint Paul’s Chapel. The entire government body prayed on bended knees, consecrating the newly formed united States of America to the God of the Bible; just as Moses had done when he rededicated Israel to God when they were delivered from Egypt.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In Saint Paul’s Chapel, there is a plaque above Washington’s pew with the words “Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that you will keep the United States in Holy protection.” This is the spiritual birthplace of America where the new United States government entered into a divine covenant with God Almighty.

It was truly a miracle or divine providence that this fledgling nation, with its ragtag band of commoners, succeeded in defeating the greatest military empire on earth at the time. America, without a doubt, seemed to be graciously blessed with succeeding in its experiment of this new form of government. Its rise to prominence in industry, finance, military and charity in such a small amount of time was inexplicable. This was no accident that the youngest nation on earth, quickly became the most powerful nation on earth.

THE POWER OF JUDGMENT

Psalm 9:8
He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.

Every Christian has an understanding of what God’s judgment is. God’s judgment forced Adam and Eve out of His presence in the Garden of Eden. It was God’s judgment of sin which was the catalyst for Christ birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ultimately, our salvation. God is love, but God is also a judge. He must judge sin with no exceptions. God must judge as a righteous and just God. If He did not, He would be defying a part of His character. He cannot look upon evil and allow it to go unpunished, for that in itself would be evil. Habakkuk 1:13 says that His “eyes are too pure to look on evil.”

Throughout the Bible, God’s judgment is executed time after time upon those who refuse to obey and sin against God. Man has a propensity to sin, so God’s discipline is ongoing. God is desperately trying to drive us sinners into the arms of His salvation. Mankind sins and a sinful mankind builds nations. When these nations forget God and sin against Him, they too are judged wholesale as a people. One need not look any further than to Israel; God’s chosen people and nation.

Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, God promised to bring forth a great nation and make them His chosen people. (Genesis 12:7, 17:7-21) The Israelites were to be a beacon of light and hope to the world. Their mission would be to draw the people and nations of the world to God Almighty and His salvation. Israel failed repeatedly in this mission, and time and time again, were judged.

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” (Hebrews 12:5,6)

God judges, not so much to punish, but to turn those who do not know Him or who have strayed back to Himself. When a nation sins against God, God will bring judgment against that nation. Israel, throughout the Bible was destroyed and taken captive by conquerors of other nations, over and over. The final expulsion came 40 years after Christ was crucified, when the Romans marched in, destroyed the temple and drove the Jews from Israel, dispersing them into many nations across the earth..

Since then, it would seem the judgment of God followed the Jews. In 66 AD, 50,000 were killed in the massacre of Alexandria Egypt. In 624-628 AD, many tribes were persecuted and destroyed by Muhammad. In 1012, they were expelled from Germany. Massacred by the Crusaders in 1096-99. The Jews have been expelled from France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Sicily, Lithuania, and Portugal throughout the 1300s and 1400s. In the 1600s, they were Massacred during the wars of Poland against Sweden and Russia. The persecutions, massacres and expulsions continued up until the climax of the Holocaust where 6 million Jews were murdered by Hitler and the Nazis. [1}

God’s judgment is serious and relentless. The experiences of the Jews shows what happens when one enters into a covenant with God and then turns their back on it. I believe the United States of America has also made such a covenant with God and like the Jews for breaking theirs, is also under God’s judgment for breaking ours. Judgment is coming and time is running out to prepare. Just like Israel of old, America too, will continue to suffer at the hands of God’s wrath.

The United States of America, just as Israel before them, entered into a covenant relationship with God upon it's founding. Psalm 9:17 states: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God." A large segment of American has continually forgotten God....and judgment is coming to America.

THE POWER OF PREPAREDNESS

Proverbs 22:3
The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Being prepared is one of those life’s disciplines we are taught over and over, from childhood until the day we die. As children we are taught by our parents to prepare for school, church, dinner, etc. We are taught to be ready for future events, so we will be ready to face a variety of challenges that await us throughout our lives. We are taught to be punctual, to think beforehand and to plan things out. When storms approach, we are taught to take precautions by boarding up windows, tying things down, stocking up on non-perishable goods and seeking safe shelter.

Being prepared can save one’s life.

God also shares this view. Proverbs 6:6 states;

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

As a child, I used to enjoy watching ant colonies going back and forth, in and out their tunnels. I would often see some of the ants carrying cut leaf sections three times their size! Sometimes, they would be transporting tiny larvae or some unfortunate insect that had been caught for dinner. As an adult, I realized that many species of ants store seeds and other foods in their nest to survive the winter.

God has given these ants the instinct to prepare ahead and admonishes us in Proverbs to do likewise. Unlike the ant, we have grocery stores that are filled with food to get us through the winter, but the overriding principle is to be prepared. Notice that Proverbs mentions “poverty and scarcity”. God is not merely talking to us about being stocked up on food, but to take necessary life precautions against poverty and going without.

There are many examples in scripture where God directs His people to prepare. In Genesis 6:13,14, God tells Noah to prepare an Ark before He floods the world in judgment. In Genesis 18:17, God tells Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Exodus 12, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to prepare for the death of the firstborn by placing lamb’s blood on the post of the doorways. Time and time again, God warns His people of impending danger and judgment.

God cares deeply for His people and He desires that they come to no harm. He also desires that they have abundance to bless others, provided they are not corrupted by it. God cares about every aspect of our lives, which is why He tells us to prepare in order to escape the pain of things that may come.

In the Book of Jeremiah, God pronounces judgment upon Israel for their sins. He is bringing the Chaldeans from Babylon to lay siege against the city. God instructs Jeremiah to warn the people, even if they refuse to believe or prepare. As God said, the people would not listen. Jeremiah’s cousin approaches Jeremiah to buy his land, making it seem like a good deal. Basically, “Take it off my hands for a bargain price” kind of deal. The land was held near territory the enemy was laying siege against as was about to be captured. Not such a good deal, if it was soon to be occupied by the enemy.

God instructs Jeremiah to accept his cousin's offer! Why? God knew that He would once again bring the Jews back into the land they were about to become exiled from. When the appointed time came for them to return, Jeremiah and his descendants would have legal rights to land he bought for pennies on the dollar. God told Jeremiah to prepare way in advance and Jeremiah heeded the instruction of God.

Storms are circling on the horizons of America and the world.

I am urging my Christian brothers and sisters to heed my warnings and prepare now to protect yourself and even prosper by preparing in advance like Jeremiah. As with Israel, God’s judgment has been proclaimed against the world and America especially. God has given us the opportunity to prepare for what is coming, which I believe will be shortly. If we take heed and prepare, we will not be caught off guard and will be able to survive through the judgment to come and be a blessing to those around us.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest. Isaiah 62:6

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