We live our lives at lightning speed. And how can we not? We have families to raise. Careers to develop. Goals to reach. Things to learn. Relationships to grow. Instagram accounts to update. Dreams to actualize. In the midst of all the demands of twenty-first-century life, it can be hard to connect to ancient notions of promise and obligation, duty and responsibility. We might find ourselves asking: Why should a set of ancient covenants matter now? What do these contractual agreements God made with other people have to do with our lives today?
There’s no denying it. We lead very different lives from Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. But even with the myriad ways our lives are different, there’s at least one way our lives are the same. Just as every one of them felt the consequences of broken relationship with God all those centuries ago, we continue to feel the strain that comes with living in a world that’s not as it should be.
Adam and Eve experienced life in a world where the earth had been cursed and where shame, pain, dissent, and strife were felt. All of this after having tasted the unhindered goodness of creation and perfect fellowship with God. Noah felt the excruciating pain that comes with witnessing his world be ravaged by flood and experiencing the loss of life. He had to start over with only his family by his side. Abraham knew firsthand the heartbreak of childlessness. Moses was all too familiar with the feelings of incompetence. He knew imposter syndrome long before it had a name. David lived with the pain of broken family relationships. And Jesus—Jesus knew the worst pain of all, as he hung on a tree, betrayed by his friends, carrying the weight of all the sins of the world.
So, why should a set of ancient covenants matter to us now? Because just like these people spent their lives waiting for God to fulfill his promises of redemption, we also find ourselves waiting. No, we’re not waiting for God to give us a descendant and make us into a great nation like Abraham did, but we’re waiting for something. Maybe we’re waiting for healing in our bodies, our hearts, our minds. Maybe we’re waiting for restoration in our relationships. Or maybe we’re waiting for companionship in the form of a child, a spouse, a friend. In our waiting, we can look to God’s covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David and find hope. Because, like all the other covenants, the end of our waiting is wrapped up in the fulfillment of God’s New Covenant through Jesus.
Why study the covenants? Because for those of us who follow Jesus, there is no covenant whose blessings we do not enjoy. As it turns out, our lives may not be all that different after all.
My husband is currently suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury. He has been in the hospital since July 10. He is only 33 years old. In the blink of an eye, our lives completely changed. We had previously started trying to start our family as well, but I had a miscarriage back in May. I see now why the Lord wanted me to wait, so that I could be fully present while waiting on my husband’s healing. My husband is still unable to talk/communicate. When I become discouraged, I have to remember everything God has already accomplished. God got him through his stay in ICU when we were unsure if he would even open his eyes or emerge from his coma. God has led us to and allowed Daniel to be accepted into the Shepherd Center (what a wonderful name) in Atlanta, GA for his brain injury rehabilitation. My husband underwent another surgery this past Wednesday to have the piece of his skull they originally had to removed, replaced. He has come so far with the help of the Lord, but he still has a ways to go. During this waiting season, I have become closer to God than ever before. I’m learning to pray in a way that glorifies Jesus, not just my personal wants. I pray to get my husband back. Yes, there are selfish reasons I want him back, but I have felt led to pray that God heals Daniel and allows him to talk again so that Daniel can teach others about Jesus.
I read Jennie’s book “Restless” this last week. I’ve had it for years, and started it 4 years ago when I myself was in an accident, but I was scared to finish it. I wasn’t ready to see God’s true purpose for me. Well now, I’m ready more than ever to follow God’s purpose for me, as well as His purpose for my husband.
Thank you to whoever reads this for reading about my season of waiting, and maybe whispering a prayer for my husband.
I know a few people who are walking, talking, beautiful testimonies of how the Lord can work wonders at the Shepherd Center. It’s truly the best! I pray that Daniel will make a full recovery and that the Lord will sustain you until then.
Thank you so much for your response and for your prayers!
Melissa, prayers for healing, rest, encouragement, and comfort. Reading your story today made me realize just how much I have to be grateful for and was a reminder once again to cherish every day with the ones I love. I pray also that as Daniel recovers God would continue to draw you close and grow you in your faith and love for him. It sounds like our good father is already doing this work in you and my prayer is that it continues and you continue to grow and see just how great and good God’s love and plan and purpose for you and your husband is, no matter what it might look like on the surface to us.
Thank you so much for these words of encouragement and for your prayers!
May Gods strength be with you as you live this journey . May Daniel be healed that he might glorify God .
Thank you so much ❤️
I will be praying for your husband and you, Melissa. God is for us!
Thank you! Yes He is! He is working all things together for our good ❤️
Praying for complete healing in Jesus’ name!
Thank you ❤️
God is faithful in this season give God the glory and praise
I send the trailer to my women’s group and they would like to do this study together. I need information on how to get materials and video access so that I can do it in our small group at church. We are doing Get Out of Your Head at this moment and it is so timely for where each of are.
I’ve been waiting over 8 years for a companion in a spouse. Seems hard to find a man of God that is single and will to accept a instant family as I am a single mom. I cling onto God’s promises and when I feel like maybe I am meant to be single in this world forever, I remind myself of his promises.
I am waiting for God to tell me my next steps. I retired from teaching in June and am not sure what I’m supposed to do now. I think God might just want me to spend time with Him and grow in my relationship with Him. I have always struggled with my identity and feeling less than others. I want to feel full of joy and acceptance and able to be happy with myself and my life. I am so blessed, but sometimes still feel like I lack. I am excited for whatever God has in store for me next…I just don’t have much patience to wait! Haha!
Thank you to everyone for sharing in the previous day’s journals. I can relate to so many of you where you are at and what you struggle with. I have to keep reminding myself that God wins! He only wants the best for us and He will provide, and see us through any struggles that come our way. I am looking forward to continuing this study with you all online!
We have been waiting three years for an adoption. We know God called us to this but we’ve waited for so long and we just keep trusting that he has a plan. We were obedient and we know he didn’t call us to this to not fulfill his promise. Now we are starting to pray about fostering an older child….we think he worked on our hearts I. The waiting!
I am currently in a season of waiting. I am single and lately, I have found myself wanting a romantic relationship. I’ve talked to God about this, and I know that there are some things I need to work through before I put myself in a serious relationship. Sometimes I wish I could just hurry up the process, but I know that there is no rushing through God’s plans and purposes. Knowing that God is working to full His promises, even at this moment, reminds me that He is preparing my heart for someone amazing and for an amazing relationship. I know that He is just making sure that when that someone comes along, we are ready for each other and we don’t have to bring any unnecessary hurt or baggage into the relationship.
I’ve been waiting for God to give me a spouse for a very long time. Even believing in the promises of God. It seemed this area continued to be unfulfilled. So in true human form I decided to make it happen. That road was not the way to go and it derailed my life and my relationship with the Lord for years. Now after many years of finding self forgiveness ( I’ve repented and God has forgiven me). I’ve had given up hope. But, as I’ve grown older I am trusting in him and holding on to his word. Knowing that what God is doing in my life is for my absolute good. And that he is a God who keeps his promises even when they don’t look like you imagined it would look like.