Throughout my life, my word has always been very important to me. It is just how I was raised. I may not have two nickels to rub together, but I've always got my word. That's why I rarely make promises. I am far too familiar with my own ability to break them, so a promise never made is a promise never broken. Instead, I will often say things like "I will do my best" or "I can't promise, but I'll do what I can." Then work to complete it like I did promise!

But even with the reputation of having a word you can count on, I'm still very human and prone to break my word even when I've done all I can to keep it.

The rainbow was a sign of love and restraint. David gave us a response of trust and faith. These are all great and wonderful truths ... but wait, there's more! All of it, the sign, the promise, the strength and shelter all point somewhere and Paul tells us to whom. Every one of God's promises finds its 'Yes' in Jesus.. Covenant faithfulness isn't an abstract hopeful ideal; it has a face and that face belongs to Christ.

Jesus isn't now, or was He ever, Plan B. He is the embodiment of God's unwavering commitment to His creation ... to His family. God says "Yes" and our "Amen" follows after, resting in the assurance of His unfailing goodness. The Way of Jesus isn't a life lived striving to make God agreeable to our ways, but a lifetime of aligning ourselves with the 'Yes' He has already delivered.

Repeated themes and passages in scripture aren't boring or redundant. They enrich the melody of its song, like adding instruments to an orchestra all playing the same music. Covenant in Genesis saw a cosmic scale and focus. Romans gave us a legal and theological base, but in Jesus, covenant becomes personal ... incarnate, something we can see, touch, and feel.

A Divine fresh start isn't some magic reset button. It is a reality anchored in a savior who embodies every promise of God and works its way out in a resurrection life lived in the way and form of Jesus.

We don't use the word covenant much these days, but scripture does. Simply put, they are promises initiated and kept by God Himself. How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of every promise reshape your understanding of covenant? Where do you need to say “Amen” to a “Yes” God has already declared?

Father, thank you for being the 'Yes' to God's promises for me. Teach me to live in agreement with and in submission to Your promises. Let my life echo 'Amen' to your goodness and your faithful love. In Jesus name, Amen.