Blessings of Covenant Relationship

As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God reminded them of a vital message He had delivered in the wilderness (see Deuteronomy 28). He had established a Covenant Relationship with them as His people, but, as with all covenants, there were conditions.

God promised blessings if they obeyed, and He reminded them that they had experienced problems because they failed to obey. In fact, they had made covenants with the pagan world around them.

As a consequence of the Israelites’ disobedience, they hadn’t experienced blessing or victory. Their enemies hadn’t been driven out, but became thorns in their sides—constant irritants. They were trapped by all the things associated with idol worship. They had been deceived into doing things which they later would regret and which would cause them harm.

The Bible makes it clear that there are consequences to our actions. Put simply: We Reap what we Sow. If we obey God faithfully and keep His Word, He promises provision, guidance, deliverance, and victory. But if we disobey, we’ll experience the kinds of problems that plagued Israel—enemies as thorns in our sides, overwhelming burdens and frustration, and a lack of God’s help to bring us victory and success.

Today, remember these principles as you make choices. Make an absolute commitment to serving God. Trust in Him, and obey His Word. Then let Him give you His peace, rest, and victory.