Moon gazing

I caught a glimpse of the full moon on Sunday evening, riding high behind scudding clouds, ‘a stately galleon tossed upon cloudy seas’.  I like to see the moon.  I’ve watched it climb, cold and remote, over snowy mountain peaks; admired its golden glitter paths on calm seas; wondered at the sight of the earth’s shadow crossing it, turning it rusty-red, the blood moon of a lunar eclipse; smiled at the baby moon, a nail-paring in the evening sky; seen super moons, blue moons, half moons… Yes, I like to see the moon.

Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.  He made the stars also.  (Genesis 1:16)

Not only does the moon remind me of the God who created all things, speaking them into existence from nothing, but it reminds me too of His covenant faithfulness.

My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.  Once have I sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; it shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky.  (Psalm 89:34-37)

And then, of course, I think of the Lord Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, and the blood of sprinkling which speaks better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24)  What a wonderful redemption!  What a wonderful Saviour!  Let us, like the moon, be His faithful witnesses.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen

                                                                                      Hebrews 13:20-21

God of the covenant, Triune Jehovah,

Marvels of mercy adoring we see;

Seeker of souls, in the counsels eternal

Binding Thy lost ones for ever to Thee.

 

Not now by words bringing death to transgressors,

Grace unto life the new covenant brings,

Jesus our Surety, our Kinsman-Redeemer,

Round us the robe of His righteousness flings.

 

Blessings on blessings through ages unending,

Covenant fullness in glorious flood;

Ours is a hope which no mortal can measure,

Brought in by Jesus and sealed in His blood.

 

God of the covenant – changeless, eternal,

Father, Son, Spirit in blessing agree;

Thine be the glory, our weakness confessing,

Triune Jehovah, we rest upon Thee.

                                      Jessie F Webb