Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 May 26

"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” 

(Hebrews 8:6)

Today’s Morsel:  Wikipedia defines a promise as a commitment by someone to do or not do something.  As a noun promise means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something.  As a verb, it means to commit oneself by a promise to do or give.  It can also mean a capacity for good, like a value that is to be realized in the near future.  We must remember that many of the things under the Old Testament were for the Jews only.  And the same held true for God’s promises.  They were for the Jews only.  The Gentiles were excluded.  They were called heathen, outcast, uncircumcised, dogs.  Few, if any, of the promises were for them.  Paul wrote, “ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).  We were strangers from the covenant of promises without hope, and without God in this world.  Think about it.  Israel had many covenants of promises, and we had nothing.  But Paul  again wrote, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).  And now, he said, we are drawn nigh by the blood of Jesus Christ.  We are now one with Him through baptism and have become heirs according to the promises (Galatians 3:26-29).  The promises are now for everyone that is truly born-again.

Sing:  I’m so glad that I’ve been buried in the name of the Lord, in the name of the Lord, in the name of the Lord.  I’m so glad that I've been buried in the name of the Lord; since the name of the Lord has been revealed.

Thought For Today:  Baptism in Jesus name opens the door to the promises (Parker).