A Piece of Paper

   Chambers' reading for today had to do with the covenant God made with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, that He would never again destroy mankind by the use of a great flood. He then relates that covenant from the Old Testament with another covenant, symbolized by Jesus' death and resurrection, in the New.

   Chambers then states: "All the great blessings of God are finished and complete, but they are not mine until I enter into a relationship with Him on the basis of His covenant."

   Noah did not have to do anything to stop any future flooding, no set of rules to adhere to, no sacrifices on his part, just a looking up at the rainbow in the sky and believe that God was faithful to what He had promised. What if Noah did not look up and believe what God had said? He then would suffer much unrest in his soul every time it sprinkled, wondering if he needed to begin work on another boat. God would be faithful to His promise regardless, but Noah would not be able to live in the light of that unless he believed.

   Paul says the same thing in Romans: 10:9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

   In order for Noah to be truly free to live the life God had prepared for him, he had to have more than just mental belief. It was a heart belief, trusting that God was good for His word.

   In order for me to be free and live the life God wants for me, my faith and trust in God, to do what He says, springs from the heart also. This kind of belief is not one that just carries a piece of paper around so I can read and be reminded every day, and then just live any way I please. The acceptance of God's promise in His covenant produces a lifestyle that reflects this. What is stamped on my heart is lived out, not only where I can know and sense it, but is there for others to see also.

   Mental assent is not good enough, true belief comes from the heart and is shown in the way I live. 

   God, help me to live out what I say I believe.

   And get rid of that piece of paper