Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
Psalm 22:22-30

These passages in Genesis spell out the covenant which God has made with those by faith and grace who truly believe and humbly serve Him. It tells of Abraham and Sarah and their advanced age, but through their righteousness, God gave them a son and a nation.

It seems to me we have a duty, no matter how long it takes, to stand up and have the truth be told. The news this week has been full of the stories of the US Women’s Gymnastics Team and the horrors they have suffered for years. For years and years, no one was willing to listen to them. But finally, they have been able to stand together and call for the righteousness they have deserved for so long. Just as Sarah and Abraham begat a nation, those brave women will see the necessary changes come forth from their actions, countless generations will profit, and the nation will listen and remember.

Thus, we need to remember it is by faith and grace that we need to serve and believe in the Lord. He has promised a covenant to us and we need to be ready, no matter how long it takes.

Let us go forth and love and serve our Father and be ready for His covenant in our lives.

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
-Sally Rode