A new covenant

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

–

1 Timothy 4:4

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be…” and there was light, Heaven and Earth, the sun moon and stars, vegetation, and creatures in the sea, in the air, and on land. He created man and woman in His image. And God declared that it was all good… not just good, but very good (Genesis 1).

God made a covenant with Israel that included laws intended to give direction for their daily life by keeping their focus on Him and His desire for them to be separate from the evil people who would lead them astray. It was not easy for them, nor has it become easier for anyone. Sin brought adversity, and even creation itself groans under the bondage of corruption

(Romans 8:19-23).

God’s plan of salvation through Christ Jesus has brought about a new covenant. Peter’s vision shows that God’s desire is for all people, Jews, and Gentiles, to come to saving faith through Jesus; at the same time, the voice in the vision declared that “what God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts10:34-35, 11:9). As today’s verse declares: “Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

Gratitude is at the heart of prayer and your relationship with the Lord. Be thankful for all He has made and provided for you, but mostly for the salvation, He affords to all those who believe. Pray now for those in government whose hearts groan with the burden of their sin, that they may come to know the joy of God’s most precious gift. Then give thanks and praise to Him for all He has done for you.