July 15, 2018 - COVENANT OF SALT

Day 196 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 18:1-19; Psalm 15; John 5:18-29)

“All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you.” (Numbers 18:19 ESV)

COVENANT OF SALT - Have you ever heard of this term before? It is an interesting and important biblical concept. 

One commentator explains it this way: “Covenants were ordinarily cemented in the East by the rites of hospitality; of which salt was the obvious token, entering as it does into every article of diet. It indicates perpetuity.” (Barne’s Notes on the Bible)

Salt served the crucial role as a preservative when Moses wrote these words, much as it does in many places in the world today. There are spiritual implications for God’s people as well.

For the Christian, the covenant of salt applies to the preservation of our souls Jesus won for us on the cross, as the picture included in this devotion indicates.

● By dying on the cross, Jesus saved us from sin, death and the devil.
● His sacrifice now preserves us for all eternity.

There is another application here for us. Jesus calls us to share this covenant by being salt for others:

            “You are the salt of the earth...” (Matthew 5:13 ESV)

So, let’s be salt shakers for Jesus, sharing God’s “covenant of salt” and salvation with others who need Him just as desperately as we do.

Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your covenant of salt that seasons my life with saving faith in Your Son. Please keep me in that faith forever, and use me to share Your blessings with others. In the name of Jesus, the One whose victory over death has seasoned my life forever. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!