Reference: https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=V205DF&PC=V205&q=what+is+a+promise+what+is+a+covenant
The difference between a covenant and a promise in the Bible is subtle but significant.
A promise is a declaration of intent. A covenant is a binding relationship that includes promises within a structured commitment.
Promise gives assurance intended to give confidence.
Covenant gives belonging that creates a lasting relationship between parties with moral and spiritual significance.
For this newsletter, Promises to God will be the topic.
We have made the decision to repent and be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We are excited for our new life in Jesus Christ. The bible says that we are a new creature and all things become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are anxious to go to church and fellowship with other Christians while making time to study the Word of God.
We begin to study the Word of God and read the following verses. We agree that it sounds reasonable and can make a promise to God to do our part as a Christian.
Psalms 86:8-12
8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore.
Study Psalms 86 for it is a beautiful psalm and has practical points of interest for the new Christian.
Some of us keep our promises to God and others make excuses because we are too busy or bored with the doctrine of God and do not understand it. So we give up.
1) When we promise faith and obedience to God, we are putting faith and trust in His rewards.
For example in Genesis 22, Abraham has kept his promise to God and delivered Isaac for an offering to God. His faith and obedience to God resulted in the rewards of God.
Genesis 22:18
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Other examples of human promises to God involving faith and obedience can be read in Hebrews 11.
2) When we promise to repent of our sinful ways to God and have a complete change of mind, heart, and actions then God forgives us and welcomes us back into his family.
2 Samuel 12:13
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
3) When we promise to God to persevere to the end no matter what trials or consequences come; God now knows He can trust and rely on us and can use us as an instrument as He sees fit to do His will and accomplish His plan. Then we will reap the blessings.
Job is a great example of enduring until the end of his test.
Job 42:12
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
The Bible says there will be perilous times.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Bible states the following:
In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
What promise to God should we do to have His protection?
We must make God our refuge and our fortress, and put our trust in Him. Read Psalms 91:1-16 for the full protection plan by God.
Psalms 91:2
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
The faithful believer who chooses God for his protector shall find great security even in the midst of danger. Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction shall come. His promise is, that God will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble, and in the meantime be with him in trouble.
In the last days, take heed that you are not deceived. When the tribulation comes, people including family will try to steal your "crown of life" by convincing you that the antichrist is the true Messiah in Jerusalem. Do not believe them because they did not seek God and do not have the truth of God which is the Word of God.
In James 1:12, the “crown of life” is God’s imperishable reward for believers who persevere under trial and love Him faithfully to the end.
Remember 666 antichrist (Satan) comes before 777 Jesus Christ, the true Messiah.
Read the Parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
We are the last generation (the generation of the fig tree as mentioned in Jeremiah 24). Many prophets and kings desired to live during this time. Let us honor, glorify, and praise God. The new kingdom of God is coming with Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords of this perfect government. Keep your promises to God and He will protect you in this wicked world.
Come quickly dear Lord Jesus, come quickly.