Wednesday, March 18th, 2020

Youth,​
Wow! What a couple weeks this has turned out to be!! We hope you all are doing well, staying healthy, praying for one another, and trusting that God is in control of this situation. Like all things in due time, this too shall pass. 

In order to decrease the risk to our congregation, SLBC has opted to postpone our Wednesday and Sunday services until further notice. Instead of physical services, Pastor Andy will continue his Wednesday teaching on 2 Peter via livestream tonight at slbc.org (7pm). You won’t want to miss that! 

You may find yourself homeschooling for the first time ever, which may feel daunting and overwhelming. We understand and certainly share that sentiment some days! This is no easy task! 

As we continue to trust God through each hour, day and week, we look to passages such as Deuteronomy 6:5-9; 11:18-21; Proverbs 1:7-9; 4:1-2; 22:6. We’ve come to realize that beyond the overwhelm, homeschooling can be an enjoyable journey and that God can provide all the resources we need when we feel overwhelmed, whether it’s emotional strength, logistics, wisdom, or hope! We also realize that God has designed the family unit to flourish together and He has given parents the mantle of authority to teach their children (Eph 6:1). I pray that through this time our family units would be strengthened, and that love, unity, and respect would abound in our households.

Please know that we are praying for all our youth families that must tackle this homeschooling challenge head on; you are not alone. 

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Remember that your youth probably feel overwhelmed also, not just with the current situation, but with school in general even when things are “normal.” As you walk through these uncharted waters, God is giving you an opportunity to model trusting God for provision and strength during uncertain times. ​

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Family Study Opportunity
In lieu of our Wednesday night class, here is a continuation of what we have been studying. I pray it can be a springboard for a great family discussion during this intermission. 

So far in our study of the covenants we have covered the Noahic Covenant, Abrahamic Covenant, Mosaic Covenant, and the Land Covenant.
Next up is the Davidic Covenant. Each time we look at a covenant, we look at five areas: 

1) Context, 2) Features, 3) Class, (Conditional or Unconditional) 4) Significance, and its 5) Relation to Bible History. 

​Let’s look at each of these areas as it pertains to the Davidic Covenant.

1.     Context – The Davidic covenant was a covenant made between King David and God in 2 Samuel chapter 7. At that time, Israel was prospering under King David. While enjoying this time of peace and prosperity, David said, “I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains” (2 Sam 1:2). In other words, David planned to build God a new dwelling place, something better. Even the prophet Nathan encouraged David to build a new house for the Lord. But God had something else in store. God came to Nathan and told him to tell David that God, instead, will build a house for David (2 Sam 1:11). More specifically, God promised to establish David’s line (2 Sam 1:9-10), David’s kingdom and throne forever (2 Sam 1:12-17).
2.    Features – The features of God’s covenant with David can be found in 2 Samuel 7. God promised these things… 

• I will make you a great name (2 Sam 7:9)
• I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly (2 Sam 7:10)
• The Lord will make a house for you (2 Sam 7:11)
• I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom (2 Sam 7:12)
• I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Sam 7:13)
• I will be a father to him (Solomon) and he will be a son to Me…I will correct him with the rod of men (2 Sam 7:14)
• My lovingkindness shall not depart from him (2 Sam 7:15)
• Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever (2 Sam 7:16)

3.    Class – As you will notice, there was no condition to fulfill on David’s part for God to fulfill His promises, making this covenant an unconditional one.  
4.    Significance –The Davidic covenant proves to be an amplification of God’s overarching covenant with Abraham, in which God promised land, seed, and blessing. In David’s covenant, God promised an everlasting kingdom and throne. But who can possibly reign in this eternal kingdom? You guessed it, Jesus Christ! In fact, the prophet Daniel predicted this eternal King and reign of Christ (Dan 7:14). Jesus is both the Son of God and Son of David and is the rightful heir to that eternal throne. 
5.    Relation to Bible History – As you may have already noticed, some important facets of this promise, like an eternal reign and kingdom, have not yet been fulfilled. When will that happen? You guessed it again, during the millennial kingdom. The Davidic Covenant is Bible history yet to be seen! That said, The Davidic covenant becomes a very important covenant in that it makes certain and assures us that God’s kingdom will come to earth someday, just as Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt6 6:10). Something cool will also happen during this 1000 year reign of Christ on earth  – we will see David! In fact, He will reign under Christ as prince over the house of Israel (Jer 23:5-6; Ezek 34:23-24;

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​I hope your time studying the Davidic Covenant fills you with hope this week. The best is yet to come! 

Please let me know if you have any specific prayer requests, questions or special needs during this time. Your church body is ready and willing to help in any way we can!

In Him,
Gabe

Memory Verse:

2 Samuel 7:16 - "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever."