By J.A. Medders
Have you ever read the terms and conditions for the things you sign up for online? Whenever you buy a new phone, download a new app, register on that new website—a little checkbox appears, asking you to indicate that you have read and agree with the terms and conditions of the service. I’ve never read them. No one does. The terms and conditions are just too long. They’re filled with jargon and legal-speak—a hoop to jump through. So we jump and never think about it again. But when God gives us His contract—His covenant, His promises, His terms and conditions—we read it and hold it in our hearts.
God makes a covenant with David, a promise that David’s kingdom and his family will not fade into the library of Israel. David’s line will reign forever.
Presidents of the United States serve one or two four-year terms and then fade into the background. History books are filled with stories of kings and their families who lost the throne because they were overtaken, betrayed, or their family line died out. Kingdoms are powerful, but legacies are fragile.
God promised that a son of David would build the temple, and that he would be on the throne forever. Solomon? Yes and no. While Solomon built God’s temple, Solomon’s temple is now a pile of dust somewhere in Jerusalem. Solomon himself died. His reign came to an end. God knew we needed the One who is greater than Solomon, the true and final answer, the ultimate deliverable from God’s promise. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born of David’s line and in his town, will reign forever. With Christ, God’s faithful love is with us forever.
When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, His reign didn’t end; He rose again from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and He now holds the universe together with His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). God’s faithful love is set on us, secured because Jesus set us free and forever secured our salvation by His shed blood (Revelation 1:5).
God’s covenant to David, as well as the the new covenant He’s made with you and me, is signed, sealed, and answered by the shed blood of Christ alone. Not us. All Him.
These are the terms and conditions to live by: Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone. Amen.
Written by J. A. Medders
4 thoughts on "The Lord’s Covenant with David"
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Max Hohner says:
God’s covenant with us lasts forever. “Kingdoms are powerful but legacies are fragile.” All of the kings of the past have faded into history but Christ will live forever. So our covenant with Christ is the most important agreement into which we will enter and the only one that will last forever. David reigned over Judah for 7 years and over Israel for 33 years. This is just another way in which his story points to our covenant with Jesus.
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Matt Lockwood says:
In Christ Alone
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Kevin says:
Day 24: Gods kingdom is like no other one the world has seen. His legacy will not be broken. He keeps his promises. Unlike the world, God reigns forever. I think it’s hard to see that through society sometimes, when things look real cool here on Earth. But man, imagine the faultless heaven we will one day roam with the father. GAH! Fires me up.
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Kim says:
God delivers on His promises.
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