Covenant Blessing, by Deacon Areola Ariyo
BIBLE READING: Gen. 17:1-10
INTRODUCTION: The text tells us about the agreement between Abram and God. Be perfect before me and I will multiply you exceedingly. Abraham was 90 yrs old at this time with no child and yet he was promised multiplication. The promise came to pass because Abraham fulfilled his own part of the agreement and God did His
WHAT IS COVENANT?
Covenant is a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. When man and woman say “yes I do” in holy matrimony, they have entered into a covenant that is recognized in heaven.
WHAT IS SOLEMN?
Solemn is something that is characterized by deep sincerity.Something that comes from the heart.
In Exodus 24:7-8 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
The people voiced out that they will obey all that Moses read into their hearing. The truth of the matter is: the people did not keep their own side of the covenant. They kept on disobeying God.
WHAT IS BLESSING?
Blessing is help or favor believed to come from God. You are blessed when all the forces in heaven are summoned to favor and help you.
Gen. 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies
WHAT IS COVENANT BLESSING?
Covenant blessing is help or favor received from God as a result of solemn agreement entered into with God.
GOD REMEMBERS COVENANTS
God always keep His own part of the bargain. He doesn’t forget. It is we human being that will promise something and will not do it.
Genesis 9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
Exodus 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Exodus 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
OBEDIENCE IS VERY KEY
Is. 1:19 says “If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land”. The good of the land is the accompanying blessing.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.
Peculiar means unusual, strange, unconventional or unique. Treasure means jewel or wealth that is accumulated. It also means somebody that is highly valued. Solomon is a classical example of someone that had wealth, jewel and highly valued. When the queen of Sheba visited him, she came loaded with wedge of gold as gifts to Solomon. She also tapped from Solomon’s wealth of wisdom. 2CHRO.1:15, 2 CHRO.9:9, 2 CHRO.9:1
GOD BLESSES COVENANT KEEPERS
Gen. 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Abraham showed intention to sacrifice Isaac. He got the blessing of God because he was known to keep covenants. This made God to sware:
Genesis 22:16-17 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
CONVENANT KEEPERS HAVE ACCESS TO GOD’S BLESSINGS
Believers should know that they have access to greater blessings of God through covenants. Daddy G O for over 15 years had a group called covenant partners. They are the ones that support his ministerial works such as HOLY GHOST CONGRESS & CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AUDITORIUM (3km x 3km). These brethren are always having testimonies. We could also be part of this historic Holistic construction even in our parish.We can go to our pastor and ask where we can be of help towards any of our program for the year.
HANNAH
Hannah made a covenant with God.
1 Sam 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1 Sam 1:19-20 The Lord remembered her the next day.
CONCLUSION:
When we take convenants with God,that will enable him to be committed to us.To achieve any meaningful success,we must enter into a definite convenant with God.As we enter into convenant with God,we must also remember that we have convenant responsibility which we must also fulfill before we enjoy blessings that are attached to it.
Every agreement entered into between God and man in the scripture is a convenant.Abraham was ready to give the most prescious thing in his life,he took Gods word and believed in his heart for him to receive the blessings.I pray that as we do this the same God of Abraham,Isaac and Jacob that did it then will do it again in Jesus name.Amen.
Covenant Blessing, by Deacon Areola Ariyo was delivered on April 12th, 2015