In the area of Streatham where we used to live (in south London), there were no pubs. The reason is that, back in the 17th century, the land was owned by a Quaker family and they had attached a covenant to the land, which forbade it. As a covenant, it was permanent – it lasted forever: even 300 years later it could not be changed. If you wanted a beer, you had to walk a bit further!
The word covenant is little used now, but of immense importance. It means a solemn and unconditional promise. It denotes something permanent and – when formed between two parties – represents something mutual, founded on love. It is how God deals with his people – and also how we are designed to relate to each other in our closest relationships.
Thankfully we still have the word in a Christian marriage service, and this is the biggest difference between a Christian and a civil wedding. In a civil ceremony you have what are called the ‘contracting words’ – this is when the wedding becomes binding, but note the use of language. A Christian marriage, on the other hand, is a covenant – an unconditional vow: ‘That which God has joined together, let no-one put asunder.’
Of course, not all marriages last for life: but the principle of the covenant remains its great strength. And, in biblical terms, marriage is a picture of God’s relationship with us – permanent, faithful, unconditional, mutually loving and giving. Because a covenant can’t be broken, the psalmists and prophets return to this theme repeatedly. For all that we humans let God down, God ‘remembers his covenant for ever’ (v8) – even one made hundreds (or, by now, thousands) of years ago with Abraham. And this is cause for praise and rejoicing.
God’s covenant is likewise good news for us! God remains faithful, God watches over his people, God keeps giving us second chances and fresh starts. And in Jesus, God cements the covenant once and for all. Jesus fulfils all God’s promises to Abraham, and in Christ (and filled with God’s Spirit) we become the covenant people God always designed for us to be.
If the second half of the psalm makes for more challenging reading, behind it lies one simple point: God honours his promises. He promised his people a place to live: and then delivered one. He promised to bless them: and did so, at every turn – even feeding them miraculously when occasion required it (v40-41).
God remembered them – and he remembers us, too. We are part of God’s covenant people now. Which means that you are not forgotten. God too gives us his presence (v39) and meets our needs. How we need that each day – so today, spend a few moments delighting in the fact of God’s covenant to you. Claim his promises. And renew your determination to live in that covenant this day, and always.