EVEN IF LOVE
“…for this is My blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”
Matthew 26:28 (NLT)
In our world, most agreements are contracts—written, conditional and voided when one side fails to hold up their end. Miss a payment, break a promise or fall short, and the contract is off. But God doesn’t operate on contracts. He invites us into a covenant.
When God established His covenant with Israel through Moses, it was sealed with blood—the blood of a sacrifice. This was more than symbolism. It was a sacred promise, not just signed, but sacrificed into existence. And it wasn’t a you do your part, and I’ll do Mine deal. It was even if you fail, I will remain faithful.
To grasp this, imagine a wedding ceremony. Picture someone standing at the altar and saying, I promise to love you as long as you keep me happy… to stay with you in health, but maybe not in sickness… and to support you financially—so long as you never lose your job. Sounds funny, but not exactly the love we dreamed of. That’s contractual love. It's performance-based and full of escape clauses.
Now contrast that with real covenant love, the kind that says, For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. I will not leave you. These are more than the traditional wedding vows; they’re biblical. We trace them back to the very nature of God’s love. Marriage is meant to reflect the covenant God made with us: a promise that endures even when we falter.
This is why marriage calls us to a greater love than we can muster on our own. True covenant love isn’t found within us, but it can be found in God. It’s only by receiving His even if love that we can learn to give it.
Moses experienced that love face-to-face. Even when Israel failed, God stayed. And because of Jesus, we’re invited into that same enduring relationship.
APPLICATION: Think about the vows you imagine God making to you. Are they based on your performance or His promise? Today, rest in His covenant love. He’s not waiting to back out—He’s already all in.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for loving me with a covenant love—not dependent on my success, but on Your faithfulness. Teach me to love like You do. When I feel empty or weak, help me draw from Your endless love instead of my own. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?