Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel.
The best covenant
I. What is meant by making “a covenant with the Lord “ In our days it means that gracious engagement on God’s part to bestow on man the very favour which he supremely needs, and on terms of God’s own ordering; and on the part of man, his acceptance of these terms, according to apostolic exhortation--“Be ye reconciled to God.” There is implied on man’s part--
1. The conviction of
(1) the fact,
(2) the folly, and
(3) the sin of his being out of covenant with God.
2. The willing and entire abandonment of every other covenant under which the soul has been enslaved.
3. A hearty reception of the terms on which a covenant with God can be made.
II. What counsel and direction can we offer to those who have it in their heart to make a “covenant with the Lord”?
1. Be not satisfied with only having it in your heart to do so.
2. Let the past mistakes which you have made through trusting to your own hearts set you upon your guard against trusting them in future.
3. If you make a covenant with the Lord, resolve that it shall be a perpetual one. (John Lewis.)
The use of covenanting with God
Atruly pious man will not be satisfied with serving God in his closet. He will exert his influence to bring others also to a sense of their duty. We have a noble example set before us in the conduct of Hezekiah.
I. Show when we have reason to apprehend that God’s anger is waxed hot against us.
1. When our sins are multiplied against Him.
2. When His judgments are multiplied upon us.
II. Point out the best means of averting His wrath.
1. Repentance and faith.
2. Devoting ourselves to God in s perpetual covenant.
3. Under the Old Testament dispensation, covenants were judged acceptable to God. (Asa, 2Ch_15:12-15;Josiah, 2Ki_23:3.)
4. Isaiah and Jeremiah speak of the making of such covenants as characteristic of the gospel times (Isa_44:5; Jer_1:4-5).
5. Paul commends the Macedonians (2Co_8:5); and recommends s similar practice to all Christians (Rom_12:1).
6. Hezekiah manifestly supposed that God would accept him in this duty.
III. Urge upon you the adoption of them.
1. There is no time for delay.
2. If we neglect this duty we cannot hope to escape the wrath of God.
3. If we heartily engage in this duty, we have nothing to fear. (Skeletons of Sermons.)
