Twelve Covenant Mercies

Covenant- the basis of relationship between God and man:

In this message, we consider the covenant mercies of God towards man. These twelve covenant mercies (these are not exhaustive) if rightly understood will strengthen the prayer life and mission of the church. As watchmen, it is our duty to watch and pray for covenant alignment both in our lives as well as in the lives of those around us.

First, a brief word on covenant:

A covenant is a relationship sovereignty initiated by God with man in which the two parties are not on the same level. God alone defines the terms on which He is prepared to enter covenant with man. By faith, believers in Christ are called to respond to the terms of this covenant. In this regard, the Bible portrays the church’s relationship with Christ as a marriage covenant. (Ephesians 5:31-32)

A covenant involves a sacrifice; and wherever there is a sacrifice, there must be the shedding of blood. Without a covenant, there can be no relationship with God; without a sacrifice, there can be no covenant. The procedure by which the Lord entered the covenant with Abram corresponds exactly to that described in Jeremiah 34:18–20. Abram had to take the sacrificial animals, kill them, and divide them into two pieces. At the right time, the Lord and Abram passed between the pieces of the sacrifice. By that strange act, the Lord entered a covenant commitment with Abram. Once God had made the covenant with Abram, He no longer spoke in the future tense. He did not say, “I will give,” He said, “I have given.” or “I give this land”- (Genesis 15:18). The covenant has settled it—finally and forever. Abraham’s faith is laid out for us in Romans 4.

This sacrificial element agrees with the description of God’s people in Psalm 50:5.

In Psalm 50:1–5, the psalmist gave a prophetic preview of the Lord coming in power and glory at the close of this age to gather His people to Himself.

Psalm 50:5   “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice!” or “those who cut My covenant on the basis of a sacrifice.”

Through faith in Christ, our Passover Lamb sacrificed from before the foundation of the world, believers have access to the New Covenant and its blessings. In response to covenant mercies, believers are called to present their bodies as a living sacrifice; this is holy and acceptable to God and true spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)

Twelve Covenant Mercies:

Here are twelve covenant mercies available to all believers in Christ. Faith is how you receive and walk in these covenant mercies every day.

1.Saving knowledge- Jeremiah 31:31-34; 2 Peter 3:18

By nature, man does not know God, who is Spirit. By nature, man does not want to know God, and when there is some inspiration to know God, God seems to be mysterious, someone who is invisible and unreasonable. Man may read his Bible, but even that he does not understand. He hears a sermon every Sunday, but he cannot seem to comprehend the truth that is being preached. First, we must know that man cannot know God other than through God. By nature, our spiritual eyes are blinded. Blind Bartimaeus saw no light until Jesus spoke to him. (Mark 10:46-52). Saul of Tarsus was blind enough until God shone a glorious light on his life. If any person is ignorant of God, let him seek the Lord. God will give him the wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5

2. Remembrance- Jeremiah 31:33; John 14:26

In God’s covenant mercy, He writes His laws on the fleshly tablets of our hearts. As for those who would forget or change the commandments to suit their understanding, He changes their hearts instead. He makes those who despise His commandments honour them. Do you wish to have His law written on your hearts? “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29). The Holy Spirit makes men to love and remember His commandments, and to delight themselves in truth, righteousness, and holiness.

3.Free Pardon- Jeremiah 31:34; Romans 8:1

God does not remember your sins because it was all laid on Christ. It will never be recalled. The risen and ascended Christ has made the scarlet sins as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). If you are being reminded of your sins, and your soul is bowed down with grief because of the load of past iniquities, you will jump for joy as you receive by faith these covenant words, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

In Christ, there is no longer any condemnation, for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

4. Reconciliation- Jeremiah 32:38; Revelation 21:3

The offense is put away; the sin is pardoned. “Now, they shall be My people.” As the Lord looks over a forgiven sinner’s life, when He comes to the black (sin) pages, they are blank. There is no longer a separation between God and man through the finished work of the cross of Christ. The glorious truth is that one day God will dwell among His people in the new heavens and new earth.

5.Godliness- Jeremiah 32:39; Acts 9:31

The fear of the Lord is a simple description of true godliness. The psalmist would pray, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11). God will give this fear to those who ask Him. The early church understood and walked in the fear of the Lord. The church is called to reflect godliness in an ungodly age.

6.Endurance- Jeremiah 32:40; 2 Timothy 4:7

“I will not turn away from them (and) they shall not depart from Me.” The Lord Jesus said concerning His sheep, “And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (John 10:28). This assurance of the covenant keeps us from giving up half-way. The indwelling Holy Spirit is a Spirit of endurance. The next time you face trials in life, remember that your faith is being strengthened to be steadfast; if given it’s full due, you will come to a place of maturity, lacking in nothing.

  7. Cleansing- Ezekiel 36:25-28,31; Ephesians 5:26

The Lord will wash you and make you clean. That is your privilege. “Already you are clean because of the Word that I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3). This is the washing of water by the Word (Ephesians 5:26) of which the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus. Elsewhere, the Word says, “wash yourselves, make yourselves clean” (Isaiah 1:16)- that is the duty of the believer to allow the Word and the Spirit to cleanse and sanctify his being. He cleanses from our idols. Is drink your idol? Is some lust of the flesh your idol? The Lord can cleanse you from them. As you trust Him, yield to Him, He will cleanse you.

8. Renewed nature- Ezekiel 36:26; 1 Corinthians 5:7

God can change man’s nature at it’s centre. It is a miracle that an impure spring suddenly turns sweet. Such a man’s tastes are entirely changed, according to the promise of the covenant, “A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you.” The old heart is extremely hard. You cannot make an impression on it. Yet, the Lord can change that stony heart to a heart of flesh. The man who had previously been as hard as flint, now sits and weeps over his sins. He is watchful in the face of temptations. The man with the devil-may care attitude is now the one who does care and who trembles, lest he should in any way grieve the living God.

9.Holy conduct- Ezekiel 36:27; Hebrews 12:10

When God deals with a man through His grace. He not only calls him to holiness, but He gives him holiness. He does this not by compulsion, not by any physical force, but by infinite love. It is the Father’s desire that we partake in His holiness.

10.Conviction- Ezekiel 36:31; John 16:8

After God has done so much for us, men become aware of how much they have spurned His infinite love. The Holy Spirit brings a conviction in the heart of man, produces godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance, and lasting fruit for the kingdom. Conviction of the Holy Spirit is for our protection.

11. Everlasting peace- Ezekiel 37:26-28; John 14:27

God tabernacles among His people by the Holy Spirit. He is no longer absent from you when this covenant work has been accomplished in you. You will be brought to dwell in His Presence, abide in His house, no more to go out. All this is promised to the worthless, the vilest of sinners, all without asking of you anything but that you will be willing to receive Him as Saviour and Lord. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

12. Discipline- Psalm 89:30-33; 2 Timothy 1:7

There is a rod of grace in the covenant. Children do not like this rod. However, it is good for you to come under the father’s discipline. His everlasting love will always be there towards you, but when you transgress, His rod is sure to fall upon you. As earthly parents, we may pamper and spoil our children, but the heavenly Father never pampers or spoils His children. If He gives you immense success and makes you useful, He will every now and then give you a whipping behind the door. A true child of God cannot escape the rod and would not if he could. The Father disciplines us so that we may live.