Covenant vs. Promise

"Then God said to Noah....As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." Genesis 9:8-10.  

This is powerful verse!  It is also one that is often quoted to me when I give a presentation to a congregation.  It is held up as a reason that mankind does not need to worry about the Earth: God has promised not to destroy it!  Unfortunately, that is not what the verse is conveying.  What it states is that God has made a covenant with us, not a promise.  A covenant is a two-way street. God has told us what he will not do, but we must all live up to our end of the deal.  We have been tasked with stewardship of the creation that God saved.  We have been entrusted with keeping the earth as magnificent as God wanted.  He did not promise that no matter what we did with it, He would fix it.  We have a responsibility and we need to live up to it. Throughout the Bible, all manner of life is lifted up as "good".  We are as connected to the land as the land is connected with us. We have been given everything we need to survive and thrive, but if we don't step up in our role as stewards, we risk not only breaking our covenant, but condemning our children and grandchildren to a life of hardship and struggle. That is not what I want. I hope it is also not what you want.  Please consider how you are being a good steward and inspiring those around you.  Let us know how we can help - every step, no matter the size, helps! 


Faithfully,
Tracey