Thursday 30 March 2023

Today is Thursday the 30th of March, in the fifth week of Lent.

Eliza King sings, ‘All Things New’. God is always making things new… we are made and remade… how has this happened for you?

You break like the light of the sun
Bringing colour to shadows
Christ, it was you all along
You’re the words of an ancient song, we’ve been singing
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
You rise, as the bright morning star
We were blind but we see you now
The light of the world here with us
You’re a fire making holy ground, by your spirit
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
You’re the treasure of the ages
Sought for generations
How the prophets longed to see what we have seen
You’re the final word incarnate
Leaping from the pages
You’re the burning heart behind the mystery
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new

Today’s reading is from the Book of Genesis.

Gen 17:3-9

Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.’

God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.

The establishment of a covenant. The change of a name. The gift of land. There is much to celebrate in this passage.


Take a moment to reflect on the covenant God has established with you. How do you experience this covenant?

Abram’s name is changed to Abraham as he becomes the father of faith for generations to come. In this moment, a new era is established. A new name signifying a new identity. Have you ever had a moment like this with God? A moment where God has moved you into something new…what name would you have been given? Perhaps this is all happening at the moment…

Stepping into a new land. This gift of land is also significant. A place to dwell and grow. As you listen to the reading again, consider the place God has placed you in now… or perhaps where God might be calling you…


As this time of prayer comes to an end, return to reflect on covenant… We have a covenant with Christ and an eternal home with him. What would you like to say to him about it all? What do you hear in response?

You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours
Do with it what you will
Give me only your love and your grace
That is enough for me.
Amen.