Psalm 103 offers an exuberant psalm of praise to God for who He is and all He has done. The Verse of the Day comes from Psalm 103: 17-18 in the New Living Translation:
But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
This passage makes known that God, our faithful Father, is a “covenant keeper” to those with whom He is in covenant relation. In thinking about covenant relationships, an account involving David also came to mind. In his 9:6ascent to be King of Israel, David developed a close with relationship with Jonathan, the son of Saul, the first king of Israel, whom David replaced. Jonathan died in the ensuing war with Israel, leaving a son, Mephibosheth, who was critically injured as a child when his caregiver fell as she was carrying the child in fleeing from an attack from the men supporting King David. Years later, David encountered Mephibosheth, who would have been considered among the spoils of war belonging to the conquering King. Because of David’s covenant relationship with Jonathan, the father of the young man, this is how he responds
2 Samuel 9:6-7
Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold your servant!
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.
A teaching based on this moving account was the inspiration behind this poetic commentary:
The Power of Covenant
When covenant relationships are re-established,
you enter into a place of safety and kindness.
Apostle Eric L. Warren
To redeem, restore and then supersede is God’s plan:
To see His faithfulness, examine this account:
God’s favor extended beyond any earthly amount
That can be measured or assessed by the mind of man:
Mephibosheth displays the power of covenant
To children’s children, to countless generations–
First to Israel, then extended to all nations,
God’s loving kindness above and beyond abundant.
Covenants demonstrate the faithfulness of God.
Spiritual covenants supplant natural relationships,
Beyond the authority of all earthly kingships,
For we know that in truth, “Spirit is thicker than blood.”
From LoDebar--barren place of nothingness–
He takes us to abide in safety and loving kindness.
The lyrics to this song also reinforce the message
By a covenant of peace forever,
He has promised He will never, never leave us.
By a covenant of peace,
His love will never cease;
His favor will not end, but only increase.
By a covenant of peace forever.
We close with a musical rendering of Psalm 103 by Zach Jones