A Promise That Lasts Forever: God’s Covenant With Us
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 2 December 2025
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
Welcome back to Day 2 of our Advent journey.
If you are anything like me, you probably find the idea of a "contract" a bit draining. It usually reminds us of signing up for a new phone, sorting out a mortgage, or clicking "I Agree" on a website without actually reading the terms and conditions. In our modern world, contracts are often about protecting ourselves. We have them because we know that people might let us down, or circumstances might change. We need the paperwork to make sure everyone does what they are supposed to do.
But today, we are looking at a different kind of agreement. We are looking at a covenant.
In Genesis 17, God is speaking to Abraham. At this point in the story, Abraham is ninety-nine years old. He has lived a long life, filled with plenty of waiting and wondering. And here, God shows up to reassure him. He doesn't just offer a kind word; He enters into a formal, binding relationship with him.
God uses the word "everlasting."
This is crucial for us to grasp. Human agreements usually have an expiry date. A lease runs out. A subscription gets cancelled. Even our best intentions can fail because we are only human. We might promise to be there for a friend, but then we get sick, or we get busy, or we simply forget. We let people down, and people let us down. It is a sad reality of life.
God is different. When He says He is "With Us," He isn't just popping round for a visit. He is committing Himself to us permanently.
In this verse, God promises to be God to Abraham and his descendants. He is saying that He will be their provider, their protector, and their Lord. He is tying His reputation to their future. He is effectively saying, "I am not going anywhere. I am in this for the long haul."
Why does this matter for Advent? Because the Christmas story is the ultimate proof that God kept this covenant.
Thousands of years after speaking to Abraham, God sent Jesus. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham. He was the fulfilment of the promise that through Abraham's family, the whole world would be blessed. When Mary held baby Jesus in Bethlehem, she was holding the physical proof that God does not break His word. He didn't forget what He said in Genesis. He didn't get bored or change His mind.
This brings me such comfort. We live in uncertain times. The news can be worrying, and our personal circumstances can change overnight. But we have a God who operates by covenant. He has bound Himself to His people.
So, if you are feeling a bit insecure today, or if you feel like everyone else has let you down, hold on to this truth. God is a covenant-keeping God. He promised to be with Abraham's family, and through faith in Jesus, that includes you and me. He is your God, and He is with you for the long run.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, thank You that You are faithful. In a world where things change so quickly, we are so grateful that You do not change. Thank You for the covenant You made with Abraham and for keeping Your word by sending Jesus. Help us to rest securely today, knowing that You are committed to us and that You will never leave us. Amen.