Covenant in Hebrew is beriyth (ber-eeth') in the sense of cutting; a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); - confederacy, [con-]feder[-ate], covenant, league.

The covenant is an agreement sealed by blood. It is based on trust, unlimited responsibility, and cannot be broken. It is a binding together of two separate individuals into one. In each covenant there is a vow made, an interweaving of identity, a sign or mark, and the shedding of blood. It is a promise between the agreeing parties that is irrevocable.

Often the covenant agreement is preceded by a feast symbolizing the trust the parties place in each other. The exchange of garments symbolizes putting on the appearance of the other. The exchange or interweaving of names symbolizes unity. Often there is an exchange of weapons symbolizing the agreement to come to the defense of the other. There is always a sign, either in the flesh or a marker set in place, to remind the agreeing parties of their responsibility to one another. The shedding of blood, usually a sacrifice, symbolizes the covenant has been sealed and cannot be broken by the agreeing parties.

The word of God contains covenants established by men under God and covenants established by God with man. The covenants established by God reveal the responsibility He fulfills for His creation. They reveal His desire to bring us from our mountain of despair and hopelessness into His everlasting covenant of eternal life. It is a covenant based on trust. Our trust in Him sealed by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ upon the cross. It is the sign of His covenant that He was willing to lay down His life once and for all mankind. That we might have life in Him and be like Him.

*Romans 8:37-39, "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Enter the covenant of hope, of peace, of prosperity, and of heritage through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. It is an irrevocable agreement that is everlasting.

The midi you are listening to is I Just Want to be Where You Are used by permission of New Song on Line Ministries located at http://www.newsongonline.org/praisemidi.html

*June 19, 2004