February 24

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills he removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace he removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. - Isaiah 54:10.

THE covenant of works, made with Adam, and the national covenant of the Jews, were soon destroyed; but the covenant of grace and peace is immutable and immoveable.

It is sure to all who are interested in its blessings. It is as sure as the truth, as the faithfulness, and as the promise of God can make it; for he has sworn as well as promised, and because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself. “Surely in blessing I will bless thee.” Formerly covenants were made by sacrifice. Instances of this are to be met in profane as well as in sacred history; and it is here we read of the “blood of the everlasting covenant, by which the Lord Jesus was brought again from the dead.” A person may fail in his engagement, however solemnly made, either by forgetfulness, or change of mind, or inability to execute it; but this can not apply here.

Blessed be God, he cannot forget-“his understanding is infinite.” He cannot change, for he is “without variableness, or the shadow of turning.” He can never feel weakness, for he is the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, and in whom is everlasting strength. Therefore, all the “promises are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to the glory of God by him.” A believer may therefore stand firm on the rock of everlasting ages. “Yea, the mountains and the hills shall depart; heaven and earth may and will pass away, but my word,” saith he, “shall not pass away; neither shall my covenant be removed, saith the Lord.” Let us trust, and not be afraid.

A good man lately, when he was dying, seemed to be much in anguish and agony of spirit. It was a struggle with unbelief, but faith prevailed; after a while he opened his eyes again, and raising his hands, he said, “His promise is yea and amen, and never was forfeited yet;” and immediately expired.

“Oh, for a strong and lasting faith,

To credit what the Almighty saith;

To embrace the message of his Son,

And call the joys of heaven our own.”