Scripture: Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.

Thought for the Day:  I suppose various traditions have different definitions of covenant, but I’ve always liked the idea that a covenant is a family bond. There is nothing to keep us involved in this bond other than our own will, but whether or not we are actively involved with our families, we cannot break the genetic bond that unites us. Most humans hold the bond of family sacred. We want to help our families, we want to spend time enjoying a feast with them, and we want to support each other in times of need.

So it is with our covenant relationship with God. We are family. It is a bond that can never be broken by either party, no matter how badly either behaves. We love each other unconditionally, and will do anything for each other, anytime. This is why God constantly reaches out, even when we turn away. I think this is why we so often use the analogy of God as a loving parent. The human race too frequently acts like spoiled teenagers, so we imagine God as angry and frustrated with our behavior as we are with our own teenagers from time to time.

We are involved in a permanent, unbreakable, everlasting relationship with the Divine. The very fabric of our being is intrinsically woven from the light threads of God’s consciousness. Just as genetics creates unbreakable physical family relationships, God knits reality together from God’s own form, from God’s own self, so that everything that exists, known and unknown, is quite literally made from God. And that is as intimate and unbreakable as a covenant can possibly be.

Prayer: Awesome God, whose substance constantly creates and recreates my life, may I become ever more aware of my intimate bond with you, and through you to everything and everyone that exists. Amen.