Vicki: I have been really convicted by 2 Corinthians 4:13: “We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, ‘First I believed, then I spoke in faith.’ So we also first believe then speak in faith.” At the start of a new year, as we consider the dreams and goals God has put on our hearts for the coming months, it is a great reminder of the resurrection power that is accessible to us through the Spirit when we believe in faith. I have been encouraged not to whisper my prayers for this year hesitantly, even apologetically, but to speak them boldly, with the confidence that God’s power is within me, and with Him, nothing is impossible.

 

Shelley: I’ve been digging pretty deeply into what ‘holy’ means in Scripture. And it’s been so moving, so humbling and inspiring to recognize just how ‘other’ God is. No one is holy like our God. Seeing God in such a way enables me/us to see God for who He truly is. And that changes how we view everything else!

 

Leslie: Holy Spirit has been reminding me about the verse I’ve had memorised my whole life: “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬. Sometimes I get so caught up in the day-to-day worries and stresses, that I have actually had people comment that I look sad. I am practicing noticing where my focus is and intentionally shifting it off myself, and back onto the Father. He’s made this day and I am living in it, and in knowing that, I can find joy and rest. 

 

Fiona: God has been speaking to me a lot about stillness and slowing down. About letting go of rushing about trying to do all the things and instead prioritising quiet time to listen to what God is saying and move slower through my days so I can be present and attentive to the people and situations, and bring my focus back to God. Psalm 62:1: “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him" (NIV).

 

Aimée: I have been re-reading Eugene Peterson's “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society,” which seeks to help believers stay faithful using the Ascension Psalms as a guide for life (Psalms 120-127). It is profoundly challenging me to prioritise the basics in my faith—prayer, the Word, fellowship—reminding me that spiritual formation is a life-long journey (so I can be patient and enjoy the ride!), and encouraging me afresh that God is faithful to work things for our good and His glory. If I could sum it up, I'd say keep your eyes on God at all times and in all things!

 

By Aimée Walker

 

 

Fun fact: I'm an avid NRL fan and loyal supporter of the One NZ Warriors—I even have a season pass! But if I have learned anything since discovering this new passion, it's that contracts aren't worth much in the NRL. Players regularly break their contracts to join another club and their legal teams look for every possible loophole to make sure the terms are unenforceable. This reality is not confined to the world of sport; we live in a world where one's word sadly holds little weight. So you'd be forgiven for thinking a covenant is no different and quite simply, not worth the paper it's written on. 

 

The theme of covenant quite literally holds the story of the Bible together with four key covenants (The Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants) foreshadowing and preparing us for the New Covenant ushered in by Jesus. Tim Mackie of The Bible Project says it is "one of the most important words for understanding how a follower of Jesus sees themselves, sees the world, sees God. It’s crucially important.”

 

So what is a covenant? While a covenant shares some similarities with a legal contract, it is something much more profound and life-giving. In a covenant, the parties bind themselves together to accomplish something they cannot accomplish on their own; it is a dynamic relationship that carries both blessings and obligations. In ancient times, covenants were frequently used to establish family ties and to prevent or end conflicts. These purposes paint a beautiful picture of what God intends to accomplish through the covenants He has chosen to enter into with Israel and all of humanity. He is not making cold legal contracts devoid of emotion, but rather He is forming a family—Idrawing us near as His children, breaking down the barriers of sin and thereby ending the hostility between us and Him, enabling us to partner with and represent Him to see the wonders of His Kingdom established here on earth. What an awesome privilege that the Maker of Heaven and Earth chooses to work not alone, but with and through us!

 

But here is the truly good news: From Genesis to Revelation, God is revealed as both Covenant-Maker and Covenant-Keeper. He initiates and sustains the covenants He enters into, taking ultimate responsibility for their fulfilment. He does not take His Word lightly, but remains faithful even when we are not. In a fickle world, He can be trusted.

 

Want to dig deeper for yourself? Here are some resources to get you started:

 

Tim Mackie, The Language of Faith: Covenant. Listen here.

The Gospel Coalition, Covenant Theology. Read it here.

 

 

 

Father, we thank You that as we enter a new and yet unknown year, we can be sure of Your faithfulness. Thank You that You go before us, walk beside us, and hem us in from behind—Your hand upon our lives gives us confidence to keep moving forward (Psalm 139). Holy Spirit, strengthen us to be faithful, trustworthy covenant partners in all that we navigate this year that we might bring the Father glory and point those around us to His goodness. We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.