-By Grace: A Covenant People
-Genesis 42:3-9; Jeremiah 31:31

"I, the LORD, have called you...to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind,...to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:6-7)

The Creator of the universe--the One who gives breath and life to every creature--continues to speak about His chosen Servant. The central idea here is that the only One who can make promises that come true all the time is the One who created and sustains all creation. Notice the four main verbs in verse 5--"created, stretched, spread, and gives." Then in verse 6, these verbs-"I have called, I will take, I will keep, I will make." These are the words of Almighty God. He has made a covenant with His people---Jews and Gentiles alike--through His Son, Jesus.

The Bible is all about covenants that God makes with His chosen people. You might translate the word "covenant" as "promise," because biblical covenants are all based on God's promises. Even God's covenant with Moses and the giving of the Law was a gracious promise with a gracious purpose-to save His people from their sins. God's promises are always true and not binding because the sovereign Creator is faithful to do what He says He will do.

---The entire world is in a "dungeon of darkness." But by grace, God has shed His light in Christ and His New Covenant.

--Haven Today